When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Trade In Your Vehicle?

Is It Time To Trade My Car or Truck?

This is generally the first question owners consider. Most folks assume that the best way to receive top dollar for their pre-owned vehicle is to do it on their own vs. trading it for a newer vehicle. However, there are some points to think about when thinking about if you should sell your car beforehand instead of trade it in.

Typically It Takes Longer Selling It Yourself

Selling a vehicle can take many weeks, if not longer; specifically if the car is in less-than-ideal condition. You would be responsible for every facet of the sale transaction, from advertising to scheduling test drives, to arguing the price, and anything else that comes up. Conversely, trading a vehicle usually occurs the same day you buy your new vehicle with minimal fuss or stress.

Document Hassles

Normally the seller is accountable for the necessary paperwork, such as the vehicle’s title and registration. If you are new to selling, this could be a discouraging and even lengthy procedure if there are unexpected challenges, like a lien, assigned to the paperwork. The dealership is capable of taking care of the paperwork, including unexpected challenges.

Missed Tax Benefits

One of the most notable benefits of trading in your car is the potential tax savings offered in places with a state sales tax. In these states, there is a tax credit applied to the new vehicle’s sales tax if the buyer trades in a car at the same dealer where they buy a new vehicle. Simply, the taxes are calculated at the price difference after the trade-in appraisal is figured into the new car price. The tax credit savings can reach the high hundreds and even thousands of dollars, depending on which vehicle you’re buying.

What’s The Best Mileage To Trade In A Car or Truck?

There are plenty of thoughts on this, especially with late model cars that are specifically built to last a long time. But, there’s a nearly universal agreement of these three mileage ranges to consider when trading in your car:

30,000 To 40,000 miles

This is the time when most new car warranties usually end. On the other hand, this is also when the first replacement of ‘wear’ parts, like brakes or tires, are typically performed on cars. The depreciation of your vehicle will generally start to grow faster at this point, so the nearer your vehicle is to these miles, the better your trade-in value options will be.

60,000 To 70,000 miles

Depending on usage, a vehicle that reaches this mileage will typically be between 3 to 5 years old and most likely had many trips to the local auto repair shop for routine maintenance. As the miles pile up, the value of the vehicle gets lower so owners should take this into account when considering their trade-in.

100k Miles Or More

It is true that hitting this milestone isn’t nearly the automotive death sentence that it was in years past, thanks to advancements in modern manufacturing. Yet, the more miles a vehicle has, the more the depreciation in all but the most pristinely kept cars. Anything within this mileage can still have value even if it might not be in perfect condition. The looks and mechanical condition of your car are definitely looked at more closely as the miles grow on the odometer.

Tips At Trade-In

Finally, a crucial piece of trading in the car is being ready for the trade-in evaluation. These recommendations are not an exhaustive list, to be sure, they will definitely help you get the best value out of your trade-in.

Get It Clean

This ought to be a no-brainer, but many people believe showing their vehicle ‘as-is’ is a more honest approach to a trade-in appraisal. While we are not advocating hiding blemishes or problems with the vehicle (FYI, they will see through that anyway), it’s always a good idea to clean up your car to the best of your ability before bringing it to the dealership. This means tossing all debris and trash from inside your vehicle (the trunk too), washing and vacuuming the interior and exterior, and perhaps even doing a nice exterior and interior detailing. Just think of the appraiser as a potential buyer and clean the vehicle accordingly.

Fix or Replace What You Can

We understand that automotive repair costs can be overwhelming, especially for significant mechanical issues. However, if you can fix minor dings, chips in the paint, and cracks in the various mirrors, windows, and windshield, all of those fixes will go a long way towards improving the value of your trade. If possible, we suggest repairing any mechanical concerns the vehicle may have. The better the condition, the better the trade-in value will be.

Have Your Bases Covered

If you’ve decided that trading in your vehicle is the best option for you, then we suggest coming to the dealership with all of your car’s paperwork, which includes the title (if you have it), registration, any maintenance documents you have, and all copies of the car’s keys. Come ready to trade-in your vehicle and you will not be delayed in driving away in your new one.

DealerRater Aug 13, 2026

Everyone was very friendly and always greeted us immediately when entering. Our sales person made time for us, each time we entered and if he was unavailable would make sure we were taken care of.

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DealerRater Aug 7, 2026

Wonderful experience here - came for maintenance and Amber made sure I understood not only what needed to happen, but why. No pressure, no upselling extra services, just honest help from someone who knows her stuff! Felt like I was being taken care of by someone who genuinely just wants my car to stay in good shape.

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DealerRater Aug 5, 2026

Service rep. Respectful and informative as well as transparent , listened to and answered all of my questions

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DealerRater Aug 4, 2026

Went for an oil change appointment. Got checked in quickly took about the amount of time I figured it would waiting to get my car back. Sales advisor was very nice and replaced my key batteries for me. Greatly appreciated!

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DealerRater Aug 1, 2026

I keep coming back for the great service, reasonable prices and friendliness! A stand-out from other Kia dealerships I have been to in the past!

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