Can I Trade in My Car Without Current Registration

What Paperwork Do I Need to Trade in my Car? Your Guide to Preparedness

Aug 19, 2019

What Paperwork Do I Need to Trade in my Car

Although trading in your car is a popular option, many people aren't sure where to begin. The decision to buy a new car can be daunting, and getting rid of your old car can be a difficult thing to do. That's why we at Superior Honda put together a quick guide that's sure to help you weigh your options and make the correct decision. So, to help you get started, we'll answer this question: "What paperwork do I need to trade in my car?"

Before you even walk into the dealership, you should get your paperwork organized and ready.

What Paperwork Do I Need to Trade in My Car?

For starters, you're going to need the car's title . This document is your proof of ownership, and it allows the dealership to make sure you have the authority to trade the car in.

The next most important paperwork you need to bring in is the registration and insurance information . The registration will allow you to transfer your license plate onto the new vehicle, and the insurance information will allow you to drive the car off the lot.

If you've taken out a loan on your current vehicle, you need to bring the car loan information . Technically, if you haven't made all the payments on your vehicle, then your lender owns the car. Fortunately, most dealerships can come to an agreement with your lender and allow the remaining balance to be transferred onto the new car.

In broad strokes, the dealership pays the outstanding balance, the ownership of your old car is transferred to the dealer, and whatever is left is what's knocked off the price of the new car. However, this can only happen if what you owe is less than the trade-in value of the new car.

To get a better deal for your trade-in, we recommend bringing in your service records . This shows the dealership that the car has been taken care of and is in good working order. If you can't prove the car's condition to the dealer then you can expect your trade-in value to decrease.

What Else Do I Need to Trade in my Car?

Apart from those vital pieces of information, it's also a good idea to bring all the other usual documents that you'd need to purchase a car. This includes your driver's license, proof of income, and proof of residency . Although what exactly you should bring depends on the particular dealership, this information shows the dealer that you're legally allowed to drive and helps them find the best financing option for you.

What Can I Do to Get the Best Deal?

Now that we've answered the question, "What paperwork do I need to trade in my car?" it's time to discuss a few trade-in best practices.

Firstly, always clean your car before you bring it in . When the dealer is appraising your car, first impressions are everything. In the dealer's mind, people who keep clean cars take care of its internals, too. A dirty car will make the dealer think the vehicle has been mistreated, and your trade-in value is likely to be lower.

Secondly, don't over-repair your car . It's good practice to fix the minor things like scratches and small dents, but doing larger repairs may end up costing you more in the long run. For example, your trade-in car needs new ignition coils. The mechanic tells you it will cost $150 to replace them, but the dealer will only deduct $80 because it's easier to make the repair in their shop. Dealerships often hire third-party mechanics to perform these types of repairs at a fraction of what it would cost you at the mechanic.

Lastly, use Superior Honda's Trade-in Value Calculator . This will help you get an idea of what your car is really worth before you come into the dealership.

What Paperwork Do I Need to Trade in my Car? Learn More With Superior Honda

Trade-ins are more common these days than they ever were before. If you're considering trading in your car for a brand new vehicle, contact Superior Honda today so we can get you the best deal on your new car!

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