
Did you know that the average car in the United States cost nearly $50,000? For this reason, many people need to explore finance options as opposed to purchasing a new car outright. However, not everybody understands if you can trade in a financed car for a new one.
Let's take a look at everything you need to know.
1. What Is a Car Trade-in, and What Are the Benefits of Doing One?
As the name suggests, a car trade-in is where you trade your current car, which may be financed, for a new one. The main benefit of doing this is that it can help reduce the amount of money you need to finance the new car.
In other words, it can help make your monthly payments more affordable. Additionally, it can also be a good way to get rid of an old car that you no longer want.
Perhaps your current car is starting to show its age, and you're ready for an upgrade. In this case, a trade-in can be the perfect solution.
2. How Do You Go About Trading in Your Financed Car For a New One?
If you're interested in trading in your financed car for a new one, the first thing you'll need to do is get in touch with your lender. You'll need to let them know that you're planning on doing a trade-in and find out if they're okay with it.
In most cases, lenders will be happy to work with you on a trade-in.
However, there are some lenders who may not be willing to do so. In this case, you'll need to find another lender who is willing to finance the new car.
Once you've found a lender who is okay with the trade-in, the next step is to find a new car.
Once you've found the perfect car, you'll need to negotiate a trade-in value for your current car. This is where things can get a bit tricky.
If you're not careful, you could end up trading in your car for less than it's worth.
To avoid this, make sure you do your research and know the value of your car before negotiating with the dealership.
Keep in mind, though, that you will still owe your lender the money they provided you to help you finance your car.
3. What Are Some Things to Keep in Mind When Trading in Your Car?
There are a few things you'll need to keep in mind if you're planning on trading in your car.
First, as we mentioned above, you'll need to get approval from your lender. Without their approval, you won't be able to move forward with the trade-in. Additionally, you'll need to be careful when negotiating the trade-in value of your car.
Remember that some dealerships are looking to lowball you so they can make a bigger profit on the new car. To avoid this, do your research on that dealership and know the value of your car before negotiating.
Finally, keep in mind that you'll still owe money to your lender even after you trade in your car.
This is because they provided you with the money to finance the car in the first place. With this in mind, make sure you have a plan in place to pay off the remaining balance on your loan.
Otherwise, you could end up defaulting on your loan, which would ruin your credit score and cause other significant issues in your life.
4. Can You Trade in a Leased Car or Only a Purchased One?
Leased cars can typically be traded in just like purchased ones. However, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind. You'll need to check with your leasing company to see if they allow trade-ins.
Some companies may not allow it, while others might charge a fee for doing so. Additionally, you'll need to be aware of the mileage restrictions on your lease.
Most leases have a mileage limit, and if you go over that limit, you'll be charged a fee. As such, it's important to make sure you won't go over the mileage limit before trade-in your leased car.
Ultimately, you should discuss your options with your lease provider to see what is available for you. Opportunities will differ from person to person, so you may be able to take advantage of something that somebody else couldn't.
5. What Are the Costs Associated With Trading in a Car?
There are a few costs you should be aware of before trading in your car. First, as we mentioned earlier, you'll need to get approval from your lender.
In some cases, they may charge a fee for this service. If you're leasing your car, there's a chance the leasing company will charge a trade-in fee.
This fee is typically a few hundred dollars. However, it will vary from situation to situation.
With these costs in mind, it's important to make sure you have the money available to cover them before proceeding with a trade-in. Otherwise, you could find yourself encountering financial difficulty.
Trading in a Financed Car Is Easier Than It Seems
So, don't worry about being able to get a new vehicle if you have a financed car. As long as you keep the above information on, you'll have a strong understanding of what to expect.
Want to learn more about what we can do? Be sure to reach out to us today and see how we can help you.