Trade-in value?

Hequn

Hequn

Hequn

Associate
Joined
4 Jan 2003
Posts
1,609
Location
Oldham, Gtr Manchester
Hi,
I'm considering getting rid of the Volvo in the near future, purely because I don't need something of that size anymore, it's not very economical and at the same time a bit lack lustre. I'm wondering what the trade-in value might be as I'd ideally just like to go to a dealers and do more or less a straight swap for something else (perhaps with a few hundred quid either side).

I know you can check parkers but most people on here say it's not very reliable. Can anyone gauge a price for my car? It's a 52 Plate Volvo S40 1.8 Sport in Silver, 56K miles, PSH, it's mechanically very sound, never had a problem with it, condition wise the interior is good, the odd scratch there, fabric on one seat needs shampooing but I can sort that, a light behind one of the knobs for the heater power is out, but that doesn't affect being able to see it. Exterior is good too although some king souls have put 3 long scratches down one side, and there's a small scratch on the wing mirror which some passing car kindly did for me. Other than that there's a small bit of spoiler missing from the front bumper but I can also get that sorted.

Have I missed anything? Anyway I'd appreciate it if anyone can guess an approximate trade-in price.

While we're at it, anyone got any recommendations for other cars around it's price bracket? I'm open to most ideals really except it needs to be a 5 seater and not a killer on the tax/insurance, but I'd like it to be a bit more 'fun' than the Volvo (shouldn't be hard lol)
 
I thought the glasses guide was what dealers looked at to come to their trade in values, although I may be wrong.

Firstly with autotrader you are looking at private sales and obviously a dealer is not going to trade in a car at private sale prices or they wouldn't make any money from it.

Secondly just because they are up for that doesn't mean they will sell for it, lots of people overvalue their cars.
 
Hequn said:
Thanks, but how accurate do you think that is to what dealers will pay? It's given me some rather demoralising figures:

Looking on autotrader the prices seem to be quite a fair bit more than that, I'd be very disappointed to get figures like that.
Click to expand...

You asked for a tradein in value - thats what you got. Of course cars on Autotrader are more expensive, because cars are not sold for trade value, they are bought for trade value and sold on for retail value.
 
M0T said:
I thought the glasses guide was what dealers looked at to come to their trade in values, although I may be wrong.

Firstly with autotrader you are looking at private sales and obviously a dealer is not going to trade in a car at private sale prices or they wouldn't make any money from it.

Secondly just because they are up for that doesn't mean they will sell for it, lots of people overvalue their cars.
Click to expand...

Oh I agree completely on those but they seemed to be more like the 3k mark on autotrader and I'd be disappointed to get just over half that for mine :eek:
 
Trade in price can vary depending on the value of the car you are going to buy.
 
[TW]Fox;13360782 said:
You asked for a tradein in value - thats what you got. Of course cars on Autotrader are more expensive, because cars are not sold for trade value, they are bought for trade value and sold on for retail value.
Click to expand...

Yes yes I'm aware that's what I got, but half it's selling price isn't exactly on is it?

msm722 said:
Trade in price can vary depending on the value of the car you are going to buy.
Click to expand...

Really? Such as?
 
Hequn said:
Oh I agree completely on those but they seemed to be more like the 3k mark on autotrader and I'd be disappointed to get just over half that for mine :eek:
Click to expand...

They are listed at £3k, thats not necessarily what they will sell for.

Trade values are always a kick to the nether regions, I think trade value for mine is about £2k :(
 
lordrobs said:
They are listed at £3k, thats not necessarily what they will sell for.

Trade values are always a kick to the nether regions, I think trade value for mine is about £2k :(
Click to expand...

I agree as I said before on the AT listing prices, just can't believe it could be as little as around 1.5K :( looks like I might have to stick with the volvo
 
CS||nuTs said:
or sell it privately and hope for a bit more cash to spend?
Click to expand...

Aye that's true but I can't really do without my car for the x number of days/weeks it may take to sort out another car, although I guess I could hire one but that then starts to negate the idea of selling private in the first place :/
 
Hequn said:
Yes yes I'm aware that's what I got, but half it's selling price isn't exactly on is it?
Click to expand...

If its a cheap car then yes, perhaps?

Lets say they are advertised for £3k. This means they'll sell for what, ££2500-2750? A dealer would buy it for a trade price of between £1500-£2000. A profit margin of less than a grand to:

a) Prepare it for sale
b) Repair anything wrong with it
c) MOT it
d) Provide a warranty with it
e) Have it on the forecourt for x weeks

Doesn't really sound that unreasonable does it?

What do you expect, a dealer to buy it from you for £50 less than he could sell it for?
 
The first second i read the spec i thought "£1500ish". This is the trade value of that. You MAY get towards £2000 if you were putting money on top, or you go for something that the dealer is having a hard time shifting.

(I go to a lot of trade auctions as i sell cars myself, £1500 is accurate)

Edit: if you do go the trade route dont waste your time and effort cleaning it or shampooing the seats/carpets. This wont affect the figure offered as it will all have to be re-done anyway.
 
Last edited:
Jez said:
The first second i read the spec i thought "£1500ish". This is the trade value of that. You MAY get towards £2000 if you were putting money on top, or you go for something that the dealer is having a hard time shifting.

(I go to a lot of trade auctions as i sell cars myself, £1500 is accurate)
Click to expand...

Never been to a car auction although we have one 20 mins away at Peterborough, are there bargains to be had still Jez?
 
Anything undesirable to the trade, absolutely yes. Margins are tightening on the smaller stuff though which is what i buy. Seems to be down to demand for the small stuff being through the roof as everyone ignores the larger stuff.

If you are after something like a large engined prestige then you will get a stonking deal, although this is true of the whole market not just auctions.
 
Thinking of something along the lines of a 1.6 Focus for the wife. 51 plate. Ballpark figure for something like that?
 
[TW]Fox;13360930 said:
If its a cheap car then yes, perhaps?

Lets say they are advertised for £3k. This means they'll sell for what, ££2500-2750? A dealer would buy it for a trade price of between £1500-£2000. A profit margin of less than a grand to:

a) Prepare it for sale
b) Repair anything wrong with it
c) MOT it
d) Provide a warranty with it
e) Have it on the forecourt for x weeks

Doesn't really sound that unreasonable does it?

What do you expect, a dealer to buy it from you for £50 less than he could sell it for?
Click to expand...

Well there's nothing that needs repairing and it's only just had a full MOT so that removes a few of those. But no, I don't expect that Mr Fox, I'm not an idiot, please don't try and make me out to be. I'm just not that up on the way things work in the car market, there are much nicer ways of putting it.



Cheers for the confirmation Jez, it's a shame it's worth so little, reckon there's anything worth even considering around the same value?
 
Hequn said:
I'm just not that up on the way things work in the car market, there are much nicer ways of putting it.
Click to expand...

It's not a car market thing its how the world works. I was pretty suprised you didnt understand that retail price and trade price of any item, be it a television, dishwasher or a Volvo S40, were always going to be different :confused:

How much do you think Subway paid for the ingredients for your sandwich :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom