Before you make the decision to trade in your used car, it is important that you know the approximate trade in or wholesale value of your vehicle. This particular value is different from the used car retail value of your vehicle. To find this approximate value, you can find always find quotes online on various car websites such as Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, Edmunds.com, Autos.yahoo.com, and Cars.com. You can also find the trade in value of the vehicle at NADAGuides.com. Additionally, you can also find information pertaining to cars and the like at your local library. Once you do have this estimate, it is important that you consider particular factors that may devalue the used car price. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to rust, scratches and other auto repairs that need to be done on your vehicle. One of the more important areas to look at is the condition of your vehicles' tires. For example, worn down tires may lead the car dealer to believe that the vehicle has been poorly maintained or that there are more serious problems with your vehicle. Thus, this situation can lower the selling price of your trade in substantially. Similarly, it is important to consider factors that may increase the value of your used vehicle. Factors such as air conditioning, the stereo system and so on, can increase the trade in or wholesale value of the vehicle that you are trying to sell.

Once you do have the approximate value of your vehicle's worth, it is important for you to get quotes from other car dealers. To obtain quotes, all you have to do is drive up to a particular dealer and ask the used car manager how much that car dealer will give you for your used vehicle. Before you do complete this process though, ensure that your vehicle is in a clean state. Thus, the vehicle should be vacuumed and washed and waxed. Additionally, minor car repairs should be attended to beforehand because small repairs can make a difference when the selling price of your vehicle is at stake. The dealer is going to check the oil, etc. when he does an inspection on the car...every used car gets an oil change before it is put on the lot for sale.

After the expert at the car dealership has inspected your used car, he or she will make you an offer (provided of course that the vehicle is in reasonable working order). You then simply visit other car dealerships and ask for similar quotes. To obtain an average quote, simply add all these quotes together and divide by the number of dealers that you visited to get a quote. On the average, add an additional 10-15% to the estimates given to you to determine amount of the true wholesale or trade in price of your vehicle. You can also, of course, get your vehicle professionally appraised. This situation will undoubtedly set you back some money, but it is always an option if you do not have much time and you are willing to spend this extra money. Thus, "shopping around" is always a good strategy when you are pricing the value of your used vehicle.