Trading In Your Car in Adelaide
How the number is arrived at, and when trading beats selling outright.
A trade-in is the simplest way to change cars. You hand over your current car as part of the deal, its value comes off the price of the one you are buying, and you drive away the same day. One transaction, one set of paperwork, one place to deal with.
How the value is worked out
A trade-in valuation is not a formula applied to a mileage figure. The assessment looks at the car's age, kilometres, condition inside and out, service history, how many of that model are already sitting on yards around Adelaide, and what that model is currently doing at auction and in the retail market.
Two things move the number more than most people expect. A complete logbook service history is worth real money, because it removes the guesswork about how the car has been treated. And cosmetic condition matters more than mechanical condition on a late-model car, because panel and paint work is expensive and immediately visible to the next buyer.
At Jarvis the trade-in is assessed by the same used-vehicle buyers who source our retail stock, and every car we retail goes through a 90-point safety check and roadworthy test before it is offered for sale. That is why the assessment is thorough: we are valuing your car as something we intend to put our own name on.
Trade in, or sell outright?
Trade in when you are buying anyway and you want it done in one visit. It is the least work by a distance, there is no gap where you are without a car, and the value comes straight off the purchase price, which reduces the amount you need to finance.
Sell outright when you are not buying at the same time, or when you want the cash in your account rather than applied to a purchase. Jarvis will buy your car either way, so you can take the valuation without committing to a trade. Our guide to selling your car compares the options.
Trading in a car you still owe money on
This is common and it is not a problem. Ask your lender for a payout figure, which is the amount required to close the loan out today. That figure is settled as part of the deal so the car transfers with clear title.
If your car is worth more than the payout, the difference comes off your new car. If it is worth less, the shortfall is added to what you are financing, and you want to go into that with your eyes open rather than discover it at signing. Getting the payout figure before you come in means the conversation is about real numbers.
What to bring
- Registration papers and photo ID matching the registered owner.
- Both sets of keys, the logbook and any service receipts.
- The finance payout figure if there is money owing.
- Anything that came with the car and adds value, such as the spare, the jack, the tools, roof bars or a tow bar receipt.
Give the car a clean first. It is the cheapest thing you can do that affects the assessment.
Where to start
Get an obligation-free valuation before you start shopping. Knowing your trade figure up front tells you your real budget, which means you can look at the right cars instead of falling for one and working backwards. If you are financing the balance, our business managers can arrange that in the same visit.
Common questions
How is my trade-in value calculated?
It is based on your car's age, kilometres, condition, service history and how that model is currently selling in the South Australian market. A complete logbook history and good cosmetic condition are the two things that most often move the number.
Can I trade in a car that still has finance on it?
Yes. Get a payout figure from your lender, and the amount owing is settled as part of the transaction. If the car is worth more than the payout, the difference comes off your new car. If it is worth less, the shortfall is added to the amount you finance.
Is it better to trade in or sell my car privately?
A private sale usually returns more money, but it takes weeks and you manage the advertising, the buyers and the paperwork yourself. A trade-in is done in one visit with no gap without a car. If you are buying anyway and value your time, a trade-in is normally the better deal in practice.
Do I have to buy from Jarvis to get my car valued?
No. The valuation is obligation-free and we will buy your car whether or not you are buying one from us.
Will you take a car you do not sell as a franchise?
Yes. Jarvis runs a large used-vehicle operation and buys a wide range of cars, SUVs and utes, including makes outside our franchise brands.
Should I fix damage before trading in?
Usually not worth it for anything mechanical or structural, because a dealer can have that work done more cheaply than you can. A thorough clean and having the logbook and both keys ready are the things worth doing.
Find out what your car is worth before you go shopping, then browse the cars that fit the budget it gives you.
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