A VEHICLE IS AN ASSET.

In most cases, it's an asset that goes down in value over time. This happens for several reasons, many of which are out of your control. But there are some things that will decrease your vehicle's value faster than normal. Here are seven of them:

1. Skipping maintenance
Ignoring your vehicle's maintenance schedule is a great way to decrease its value when it comes time to trade it in. A mechanic can always tell when a vehicle has been neglected, and people who skip oil changes, routine maintenance, and don't replace worn or broken parts are likely to see their trade-in value drop unnecessarily.
2. A discontinued make
This is completely out of your control but if you're unlucky enough to own a vehicle made by a manufacturer who has gone out of business, your value will take a dive. Recent discontinued makes include Scion, Mercury, SAAB, Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn. However, if you're on the buyer side and looking for a deal, these makes are always available at discount.
3. Mileage
Even if your vehicle is only few years old, higher mileage will mean a lower value. Of course, you need to drive as much as you need to drive, just keep in mind that when it comes time to trade in or sell your vehicle, if you've been using it more than the standard 12,000 miles per year that the average driver puts on their car, you're likely looking at a lower value.
4. Dings and dents
If you're one of those people who parks their car as far away from everybody else as possible to avoid dings, then you're not going to suffer like some others when it comes to its value. Small (and big) dents and dings make a vehicle look beat up and unattractive, decreasing its value because buyers take appearance and cosmetic flaws into account when shopping.
5. (Un)desirability
There are some cars and trucks that people simply don't want. Whether it's because it's a particular body style or color, or just an unsuccessful and unpopular model, if you're unlucky enough to own an undesirable car, you shouldn't expect to get much for it when it comes time to trade it in. 
6. Smoking
Smoking has been decreasing among the general population for decades, which means people are less and less tolerant of vehicles that have been smoked in. Unfortunately, the smell is very hard to get rid of, which means a potential buyer is likely to recognize that a vehicle has been smoked in whenever they open the door. If you're a smoker, it's in your best interests to make sure you avoid smoking inside the car.
7. Too many modifications
Modifying your car can be fun, whether it's cosmetic modifications, performance modifications, or both. But not only are you never going to get the money you've invested into modifications back when you sell or trade-in your car, there's a high likelihood that the value will decrease because of your add-ons. This is because not everyone will be interested in a modified vehicle, especially when the modifications have been significant. So, enjoy your ride and hook it up if you'd like, just remember that it might cost you more than a few bucks. 

So, you're either considering, or have decided to trade in your current car or truck. That's great news, since it means you'll soon be driving a shiny new (or new-to-you) ride, which is always fun. But to maximize the value of your trade-in, and make the process go as smoothly as possible, there are a few things you should do first. Here they are:

1. Clean your vehicle

Take the time to fully detail your vehicle inside and out. Even if you don't normally keep your car spotless, you'll be shocked at just how much of a difference a full interior and exterior scrub and wax can make. Make sure to take out all of your miscellaneous things from every storage compartment and clean those out too. Your vehicle's appearance provides the first impression, and even though a dealership appraiser can envision what a dirty vehicle would look like cleaned up, it still helps your case to show a car that is tidy and well-maintained.

2. Gather all the documents you'll need

To save time and make the process go smoothly, you should have all the necessary paperwork ready and bring it with you when you go to trade your car in. Make sure to bring your vehicle title and bring your most recent loan statement if you are making payments on the car. Don't forget to bring your driver's license with you, and your insurance information so that you can call to switch your insurance over to your new vehicle. Documents that you don't need to bring include a vehicle history report, which the dealer will be checking on themselves anyway, and any of the parking tickets that you've accumulated in your glove box :).

3. Find all the maintenance records you can dig up

Keeping vehicle maintenance records is always a good idea, because it shows that you're a conscientious vehicle owner who has kept up with all scheduled maintenance and repairs. It makes sense to bring these records with you because cars that have maintained with scheduled maintenance will retain more of their value. It will be up to the dealer to decide whether or not they will resell the vehicle with your records or not, but having them with you helps inform the appraisal process and shows that you've cared for the car you're trading in.

4. Try to fix all minor issues

Do your best to address any small issues or repairs that need to be made to the vehicle. This includes things like replacing bulbs, wipers, topping off fluids, air filters, touching up any small scrapes, and any other mechanical or cosmetic issue that isn't very expensive to fix. If there are any larger cosmetic or mechanical issues that require attention, you're better off letting the dealer handle them because it will likely cost you more to address them than you would receive in extra trade-in value from a dealership.

5. Don't forget the accessories

Don't forget to include every accessory associated with the car and anything extra you can dig up. This includes things like an extra set of keys, any software that came with the car to aid in its setup, and the vehicle owner's manual. These things provide value by offering the vehicle as "complete" as possible, which is attractive to any prospective future owner, and therefore the dealership. And if you're considering trading in your vehicle any time soon, make sure you call us first!

 

Your car's trade in value will depend on its condition

Nashua Used Car Superstore would love to give you what you're asking for your trade-in vehicle every time, because it would help us earn your business, but it's just not possible.

KBB and other value estimation websites are also not always accurate in their assessments. Your car's value will depend on its condition, the state of the market, and the dealership's likelihood of being able to do something with the vehicle after it's been traded in.

This is why it helps to take great care of your vehicle, both mechanically and cosmetically. If it's in great shape, and is a marketable vehicle, then you're more likely to get what you're looking for when it comes to its trade-in value, as long as your expectations are reasonable.

Looking up the trade-in value of your vehicle online is a pretty common thing to do, but taking the value that you find as gospel instead of as a starting point is a mistake. Your vehicle condition, the market demands of the area where you live, and the dealer's ability to resell the car all play a part in determining your trade in value, so try to be realistic. 

 

A significant cause of concern for many people when buying a vehicle is the trade-in value that they can expect to get for their car or truck. Some people think that a trade-in value is determined simply by looking up a number online. Unfortunately, this isn't the case and there are numerous factors that help determine how much a trade-in is worth. The following things are what will determine your vehicle's trade-in value:

 

1. Year

How new (or old) your vehicle is will play a major role in determining its value. Dealerships will pay more for vehicles that they are able to resell, and newer models are always easier to sell than older ones. If you have a much older vehicle, you're less likely to get a lot of money for it simply because it won't get much attention from car shoppers when it's put out for sale.

2. Make & Model

Not all brands and models are created equal when it comes to their resale value, and therefore their trade-in value. Some brands hold their value quite well while others don't. Similarly, certain models might be highly-sought after even if the make isn't very desirable, and vice-versa.

3. Condition

If you've taken great care of your vehicle then you'll get a higher trade-in value than if you haven't. Vehicles with scratches and dings on the exterior, or ripped or damaged upholstery will fetch less than those whose owners have babied and maintained them. This is why it might pay to park your car away from everyone else when at the grocery store.

4. Mileage

Mileage is a big factor in determining trade-in value because it's one of the things a potential buyer will be looking at when it's being resold. Even if you're trading in a newer vehicle that's in great condition, a high odometer reading will reduce its value significantly. Of course, you have to drive your vehicle as much as you need to, but simply remember that it's worth less with higher miles.

5. Local Market

This is one determining factor that some people forget about. The market in which the dealership is located will play a significant role in how much a vehicle is worth. Perhaps it's a market where trucks sell like crazy but smaller vehicles don't, or a market where RWD cars aren't suited to the climate. Your geographic area will absolutely affect your trade-in value.

6. Desirability

This factor will likely determine the trade-in value more than any other factor. A dealership won't offer you a great trade-in value for a vehicle that they believe will be difficult to sell. On the flip side, if the vehicle is a sought-after one, you're likely to get the value you're looking for.The best way to figure out how much a dealership will offer you for your trade-in is by contacting a salesperson and bringing the vehicle in. Please let us know if we can help!

 

Trade it in

If you're planning on buying a new or used car instead of your old car, then the absolute easiest and most convenient thing to do is to trade it in. Let the dealership worry about what happens to the car, all you have to do is drive it in. And you'll get some money for it, with trade-in value usually much higher than a scrap-yard would ever give you. At Nashua Used Car Superstore in Nashua NH we know it might be a bit painful to part with your old car, but sometimes it's time to move onto something better.

 

Let us know if you have a trade-in

Despite certain myths out there, it's much better to let Nashua Used Car Superstore know that you have a vehicle you'll be trading in up front in the process. This will make the process go much faster and more efficiently. It'll also allow you to find out whether there are any discrepancies between the value you're expecting for your trade-in and what the dealership will be offering you earlier on in the process.

 

Trade-in value estimations are only a guide

It can certainly help to look up your vehicle's trade-in value online, but keep in mind that online value estimator tools only serve as guides. The actual trade-in value will depend on your car's condition, the market demands of the area you're in, and whether or not the dealer thinks it can resell the vehicle.

 

Don't take Kelley Blue Book at face value

Did you research the car you want on Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds True Market Value? If so, great! We love when our customers are informed! Just make sure to avoid adhering to these online tools unconditionally. While Kelley Blue Book is often accurate, it's not always exact. A car may have been selling for cheap during the past season, but that may not be true when you walk in. In most cases, we will try to match the price recommendations of Kelley Blue Book. However, if we are unable to offer that price, unconditionally sticking to it can create unnecessary animosity between us.

A new car can be worth tens of thousands of dollars, but that value can go down quickly if you aren't careful.

Perhaps you know that a car with minimal mileage and no accidents will be worth more when you trade it in. But what about the little things that could easily knock a hundred dollars or more off of a vehicle's value? To answer that question, here are five things that you can avoid to make your car more valuable in the future.

1. Spilling Drinks Stained car seats might not impede a car's ability to function, but they do stick out like sore thumbs to prospective buyers. While a water spill here and there might not show up on your upholstery, a coffee or soda stain can leave a nasty and noticeable mark.

It is possible to clean your seats using basic do-it-yourself cleaning concoctions. However, even these can damage your upholstery if you're not careful. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

2. Neglecting to wash it Speaking of cleaning, did you know that washing your car can actually extend its lifespan? A lot of sand and debris can get caught on your car, especially after a harsh winter with plenty of salt on the road. If left uncleaned, this can lead to rust. Cleaning your vehicle regularly helps skirt this issue altogether. Besides, if you do plan to resell your car, its value will actually go way up if you've properly cleaned and detailed it throughout its life. Even compared to identical cars on the market, yours will stand out.

3. Smoking This is a big one. A strong smell can linger in a car forever, and cigarette smoke is a big culprit in decreasing a vehicle's value. Even if the smell is faint, you can still get penalized in the loss of value. If you are a smoker, you can mitigate the smell by using air fresheners and liberally opening your windows while you smoke. However, the best way to prevent the cigarette smell is to avoid smoking in your vehicle altogether.

4. Dinging the outside You don't have to get into an accident to take some body damage to your car. Anything from a carelessly opened car door to an unfortunately placed tree branch can leave a small ding in your car. While some dings may be barely noticeable, anyone looking to buy your car will notice they're there before agreeing on the price. Sure, not every ding or mistake will be your fault, but you should do your best to lower the odds of these mistakes altogether.

5. Skipping scheduled maintenance Every vehicle needs to get serviced on a routine schedule. Perhaps it's just a regular oil change, or perhaps it's part of your warranty. Either way, you do not want to neglect getting your car maintenance. Otherwise, everything from your brakes to your transmission may wind up suffering long term damage. And naturally, anyone buying a car from you wants to make sure the brakes work. This may sound overwhelming, but as long as you speak with your car salesperson about when to bring your car in for maintenance, you should have a pretty reliable schedule to follow. Even if you aren't a mechanic, a little due diligence goes a long way in keeping your car at peak performance. If you can avoid any of the mistakes listed above, your car - and anyone who drives your car - will be sure to thank you.