Car being estimated less than trade?

J

Joker

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Any ideas why this happens?

My car (Audi A1) is in perfect condition, but I've checked with a few dealers and they're all offering 20-40k under trade-value.

Is the used market flooded with them, people just not buying Audis anymore?
 
They are all in cahoots.

I'm in the process of buying a new car and trading in (not an Audi). They also tried to go in under trade. Asked them to sharpen their pencil and they agreed to trade value. Told them to sharpen again and they upped it R20K.
 
The deal I'm going for has 'dealer assistance' - so I'm thinking they all make sure that none of that assistance is left over which would otherwise get taken off the total amount.

Such a scam in the end..
 
Book values are indicative and very, very few cars fetch anywhere near trade. If it's not a GTI or Polo of some flavour with like half the average mileage for its age, you're going to get less than book. Anything from R10k to R20k behind, to half book on something like an especially unpopular Volvo or such.

If you're being offered full trade value on anything, chances are there's some shenanigans elsewhere in the figures to make up the difference.
 
Too new to expect a decent trade-in offer in relation to book value. Any dealer's first point of reference with a car like that will be what his buddy at the nearest Audi dealer can give him a brand new one for. Couple that with the fact that a car goes through its worst depreciation in its first year, and you have a recipe for disappointment.

This is why, when buying a car on a normal installment sale without big deposits and balloon payments, it's often only practical to trade in after 3+ years. Add a balloon payment into the mix and that gets pushed back further still.
 
Joker said:
Any ideas why this happens?

My car (Audi A1) is in perfect condition, but I've checked with a few dealers and they're all offering 20-40k under trade-value.

Is the used market flooded with them, people just not buying Audis anymore?
Click to expand...

Have you tried We Buy Cars, BuyCentre (At williams hunt dealerships), We Pay 4 Cars( at Imperial Select Dealerships), CarZar(Online) and We buy your car.
 
Alright thanks for the info, I just always presumed that trade-value was something to rely on - and could simply be expected if your car is in decent shape.
 
Joker said:
Alright thanks for the info, I just always presumed that trade-value was something to rely on - and could simply be expected if your car is in decent shape.
Click to expand...
So I'm dealing with someone looking to trade in a Hyundai H-1 bus at the mo'. Thing's in decent shape with slightly above average mileage for its age. Book value is R303k. Take a flyer what the highest offer is I've seen. Nope... R150k. :crylaugh:

We Buy Cars is a good suggestion; I've seen them make very strong offers. :)
 
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