How to Trade in an Old Car When Buying a New One?
3 Answers
Buying a new car with an old car trade-in involves the following steps: The 4S store staff will evaluate and price the old car, sign the old car purchase and sale agreement and the trade-in agreement, and the money from the trade-in will directly offset the price of the new car. After the owner pays the remaining difference for the new car, they can complete the procedures and pick up the vehicle. Below are relevant details about trade-in car purchases: 1. Introduction: A trade-in car purchase is a service where consumers use the assessed value of their used car plus additional payment to buy a new car from a brand dealer. 2. Notes: Before going to a 4S store for a trade-in evaluation, make sure all vehicle documents are complete. These include the original and a copy of the ID card, the original and a copy of the vehicle's original purchase invoice or the last transfer invoice, the original and a copy of the vehicle's motor vehicle registration certificate, and the original and a copy of the vehicle's driving license.
I've helped friends with several car trade-ins over the years, and the process is quite straightforward. First, wash the car at home and take good photos, then use apps like Guazi Used Car to get a rough estimate so you won't be lowballed by dealers. Bring the vehicle license and green book to the 4S店. They'll nitpick scratches to lower the price—stand firm and negotiate. Recently, it's best to trade in at month-end when salespeople are pushing for targets and may offer more subsidies. Once agreed, sign the trade-in contract on the spot—hand over the keys to offset the new car's price, and they'll handle all the transfer paperwork without you needing to visit the DMV. A reminder: clear your ETC device beforehand; last time I forgot to unbind it and had to make an extra trip to the bank.
As a budget-conscious person, I prepared for three months before the trade-in. First, I compared the subsidy policies for old and new models on a car platform and found that hybrids offered 5,000 yuan more in trade-in rebates than pure electric vehicles. I recorded fuel consumption and maintenance receipts weekly, which helped the appraiser increase the valuation by 2,000 yuan. The key to negotiation is a three-step approach: discuss the used car price, new car base price, and decoration package separately—salespeople often bundle deals as traps. Note the recent regulation: trade-ins for cars over 15 years old require an additional environmental fee; my neighbor paid 800 yuan extra for his Santana. Remember to negotiate the service fee below 500 yuan—they initially quoted 2,000, which is outrageous.
