What You Need to Know When Trading-In

If you're considering trading in your current car, truck, or SUV for a new Volkswagen, there's one major questions that everyone considers -- how to get the most for your trade. Because we're committed to providing the best possible customer service in the Okanagan area, we've compiled a series of factors that, if followed, will help you get the most for your trade-in.

Provide Maintenance Records

It's not enough simply to say that you've followed all the maintenance schedules for your vehicle. If you've kept maintenance records and bill statements, you can prove definitively that your vehicle has been properly maintained during your ownership. A well-maintained vehicle is worth a good deal more than a poorly maintained one, so make sure you're keeping those maintenance records!

Clean Your Vehicle Inside and Out

A clean car is also worth more than a dirty one. This is because if you arrive in a dirty vehicle, you create the assumption that you don't take care of your car. If your vehicle is clean inside and out however, the assumption becomes that you take pride in your ownership and have been regularly maintaining your vehicle -- therefore it's worth more.

Repair any Damage

Over time, every vehicle will become damaged to some extent or another. Dings, dents, and scrapes all devalue your vehicle, so prior to selling it make sure you have that damage repaired! Dings and dents can be easily and cheaply popped out using paintless dent repair, while a good waxing should eliminate most scratches.

Get a Clean Bill of Health

If you're serious about trading in your vehicle, then you should bring it to a Service Centre and have a professional mechanic give it a once-over. This will ensure that your vehicle is free from outstanding mechanical defects or deficiencies, as any issues will lower the value of your trade-in. Obviously, if the mechanic finds any problems, now is the time to address them.

Replace the Consumables

There are several parts of a vehicle that are considered "wear items", and must be replaced regularly to ensure it's functioning properly. Some of these items include tires, brake pads, and air filters, amongst others. To get the most for your trade-in, it's best to replace these items if they are old and worn. This reduces the cost of reconditioning your vehicle, and those savings can then be passed on to you!

If you follow these steps, then you'll maximize the value of your vehicle and step yourself up for success when trading in. Our Service & Parts department will be more than happy to help you fix any issues your vehicle may currently have, and you can Contact Us to learn more secrets on how to get the most for your trade-in.