How to Sell a Car at a Dealership

The prospect of purchasing a new vehicle is thrilling, but what if you’d like to cut down on some of the costs associated with securing the keys to a shiny new Mercedes-Benz? One way you can do this is by trading in your current vehicle for a new model. There are many dealerships in the Troy area that are more than willing to purchase your current car from you via a buyback program. This is a great opportunity to save money on your next automotive purchase, or you can choose to take the dealership’s offer without buying another vehicle. 

If this sounds appealing to you, you’re likely wondering, “how does selling your car to a dealership work?” Read this guide by the sales experts at Mercedes-Benz of Rochester to learn how to prepare your car when selling it to a dealership. 

How Does Selling Your Car to a Dealership Work? 

When you decide to sell your car to a Rochester-area dealership, it’s a fairly simple process. Follow these steps to adequately prepare for selling your vehicle to a dealership: 

• Make Sure That Your Vehicle is Clean–Does your car need to be washed or detailed? Do the windshield wipers need to be replaced? Taking care of these tasks, and having your vehicle look presentable as possible, is a great way to increase your vehicle’s value. 
• Detail Your Car’s Benefits–Be sure to have a record of your vehicle’s service history, a list of all of its features, and a list of all of its accessories such as bike mounts or key fobs. These add-ons will also positively affect how much your vehicle is valued when it comes time for an appraisal.
• Come Prepared With Vehicle’s Title–Save time during the trade-in process by having the vehicle’s title on hand. 
• Find Out How Much Your Car is Worth–Use our trade-in value tool, or one from another site like Cars.com or Kelley Blue Book, to find out how much your car is worth. Knowing this information will help you negotiate the price or get a better idea of what dealership is willing to purchase your car for. 
• Pick a Dealer You’d Like to Work With–If you drive a newer, gently used vehicle, most Sterling Heights dealerships will purchase it regardless of their inventory or the car’s initial condition. On the other hand, if you have an older model car then you may have an easier time trying to sell it to a used car dealership. 

What Does the Trade-in Process Entail?

You’ve prepared your vehicle for sale, now what happens next? First thing, you’ll want to make an appointment at your dealership of choice. While you can choose to walk in, it’s always best to make an appointment beforehand so the dealership knows to expect you and is prepared with the necessary documents. Once you arrive, you’ll typically be directed to the Used Car Manager or salesperson who will handle the sale. They will then gather all of your information then conduct a vehicle history report of your car. 

From there, here’s a general outline of the trade-in process at the dealership will go: 

• An Inspection Will be Performed–The Used Car Manager or someone from the dealer’s service center will inspect the vehicle and assess its mechanical condition and overall quality.
• You’ll Receive an Appraisal–Once your vehicle has been inspected, you’ll receive an appraisal. This figure is based on the car’s condition. 
• Negotiate or Accept the Offer–Depending on the offer that you receive from the dealership, you can either accept it or negotiate to get a higher price. 

Why is Selling Your Car to a Dealership Beneficial?

When you choose to sell your car to a dealership instead of conducting a private sale, you can enjoy several benefits including:

• No Hassle–Conducting a private sale in Sterling Heights can be a tedious process, from listing your car online and sorting through serious buyers to meeting up with strangers for test drives. When you work with a dealership instead, you can save time as they’ll handle all of the paperwork and details of the sale. 
• Save Money–Trading in your car is a great way to save money on the cost of your new vehicle. Not only can you look forward to lower monthly payments, but you’ll also save money since you only pay the sales tax on the difference between the car’s trade-in value and the cost of your new car. 

Trade In Your Car at Mercedes-Benz of Rochester Today 

Save money on your next vehicle purchase by trading in your old car! Reach out to our finance center to inquire about selling your car to Mercedes-Benz of Rochester. Or, stop by our dealership in Rochester Hills to speak with one of our sales representatives. We look forward to working with you!