Everything You Need to Know Before Trading In Your Car

If you’ve been looking to upgrade your vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ve been trying to decide between trading it in and selling it privately. While a private sale gives you full control over the price and negotiations, it also requires time, effort, paperwork, legal requirements and sometimes safety risks. 

When you trade in your car in Brisbane, you can enjoy a simplified buying process that saves you time and hassle while allowing you to sell your vehicle at a fair price. 

A leading local supplier of both new and used cars, Aspley Mazda makes car trade-in in Brisbane easy. We purchase your vehicle from you and help you purchase your new car from our caryard in one easy process.  

Have questions? Here is the Aspley Mazda guide to everything you need to know before you trade in your car in Brisbane. 

1. How does trading in a car work? 

Aspley Mazda will buy your car in its current condition after we complete a vehicle appraisal. You bring your car in for an inspection and we’ll offer you a price. 

You can also contact us over e-mail or phone with your car details and registration in order to get a rough guide. However, this price is still subject to inspection. 

We look at all aspects of the car including the condition, kilometres and accessories and put together a price based on market conditions. If your car is in demand in the marketplace, you’ll get a better price. Maintaining your car’s resale value is important. Luckily Mazdas tend to hold their resale value longer than the industry average. 

2. How much is my car worth as a trade-in? 

There are a few main factors that impact your car’s trade-in value including:

Age: Your car’s model and year. 

Condition: The state your car is in, service history and kilometres covered. 

Market demand: How much you can reasonably expect your vehicle to sell for in the current climate. 

The best way to know for sure is to book your own valuation.

3. Is it better to trade in my car or sell it privately? 

Many people assume they’ll make more money selling their car privately. However, the process is more complicated than it may at first appear. It’s easy to overestimate a vehicle’s market value. Trying to coordinate meeting times with potential buyers can be challenging and even potentially unsafe. 

When you upgrade your car at a dealership, they can combine the buying and selling process into one and put together a fair deal that offers you great value. 

Aspley Mazda buys your car as is: there’s no requirement to get a roadworthy or get your car “sell-ready”. Ask us for an obligation-free vehicle appraisal and you may find yourself surprised by the value of our selling rates. 

4. Can I trade in my car if it's still under finance? 

Yes. At Aspley Mazda you can trade in your car in Brisbane while it is still under finance. However, your finance payout figure and equity position change the final cost. The finance payout figure is the total amount required to clear the loan contract including interest and early termination fees. Equity is what your car is worth on the market vs. what you still owe on it. 

Aspley Mazda will pay out the remainder of the loan on your behalf (whatever that payout figure is) and add it to the price of your new car. 

5. When is the best time to trade in my car? 

The right time for your car trade-in in Brisbane depends on your lifestyle, goals and budget. If you’re not particularly attached to your car and want the highest amount of bang for your buck, turning your Mazda over every 3-4 years is the sweet spot. This keeps you covered under manufacturer warranty and provides good value depending on your car’s make and model.  

6. Should I repair my car before trading it in?

Repairing your car before trading it in doesn’t automatically lead to higher resale value. Fixing minor flaws like scratches, dents or small missing components are often worth the investment, but fixing larger problems like mechanical issues might not make enough of a value difference to warrant the time or money you spend.  

No two cases are the same, so it’s best to have a frank and transparent discussion with a member of our helpful sales team. 

7. What is a changeover price, and how is it calculated? 

Your changeover price is the price you arrive at when your trade-in figure is deducted from the price of your new car. If you have outstanding finance on the trade vehicle, this is added to your change over price. Your changeover price generally consists of the drive-away price of your new car plus any additional fees and charges and your existing loan payout. When you put it all together, it reveals the total amount of money you need to bring to the table. 

8. What do I need to bring when trading in my car?

All you need to trade in your car in Brisbane is the car, the car keys (including spare keys) and the service books. Remove your personal belongings from the car and we can handle the rest. 

Trade in your car with Aspley Mazda

Aspley Mazda has been supplying new and used cars to the people of Brisbane’s northside for more than 50 years. For an easy and trustworthy car trade-in in Brisbane, contact the team at Aspley Mazda online or call us on (07) 3263 5333.