ok... I was just browsing but this is doing my nut...
Everyone has a mate in the trade who seems to know everything...
Well they don't.
Nobody is ever happy with a part exchange value, because it is always less than you were expecting - FACT.
Lets say for instance you see cars similar to yours up for sale privately, it's easy to then set that as your expectation;
fine.
When the main dealer buys a car in part exchange they have to;
- Prepare it to network standards (ie. bodywork, paintwork, alloys, multi-point inspection components + labour 'cos technicians charge, and warranty 'cos there's a special division for that which needs paying too), this will usually consist of things where you would usually say "meh, it's not that bad". Plus any other MOT or servicing plans or whatever they may have going.
- Pay the network fees, for the pleasure of selling their cars.
- Pay the Sales Managers and administration (bigger team = better service = more money)
- Pay the Sales Executive their commission, 'cos they don't work for free either... :roll:
- ...I haven't even started on the charges for running the building (or 'overheads' for those who did basic business studies)
Now... when you stack all that up on top of what they paid for your car - then remember nobody will pay a huge amount more for the benefit of buying from a dealer in the first place - NOW it makes sense.
Don't be hood-winked by how much some companies offer above trade for a "part exchange". Companies like Vauxhall and Citroen are famous for it - of course Lotus will offer you an extra £3k in part exchange - that's just margin out the car! How much do you think the dealer needs to make per unit now they are nearly going out of business and they sell so few????
/rant
When part exchanging, think about it this way;
The dealer is doing you a favour by selling your car for you - and equally taking payment for doing so - when you are just too successful to have enough free time to do it yourself (or if you are just bone idle...)
If you want/need the full value for your car, you'll have to do what I get paid to do and put in effort it takes to DO IT YOURSELF!
-=-
Now pull your finger out and get to work.