Many factors determine a car’s value and how much you can get for it. Our job here in Oak Park is to make sure our customers get the most money back for their vehicle, because we want to be a business that practices honesty and doesn’t try to pull a fast one on anyone. That’s why the more you understand about what determines the value of a car, the better! The most immediate factor is the year, make, model, and trim level of your car. A base trim isn’t going to get as much money as a premium model, especially if there are added packages. The same goes for the exterior color, as the brighter, more unique colors don’t tend to be as universally loved. You’ll also want to consider the mileage of your car, as high mileage usually means lower value, and low mileage means a higher price tag. We also have to make sure we mention the overall condition of your car, both mechanical and cosmetic. The better the condition, the more money in your pockets! Finally, demand! Whether it’s the time of year or just the preference of buyers in the area, that all goes into how much you can get back.

Now that you know the factors that go into determining what a car is worth, it’s time to figure out what you can do as the owner to keep up your car’s value! This is something you should be doing over the course of owning your ride, and it isn’t as effective if you only begin to do it when you see that selling your car may be on the horizon. First and foremost, keep up with regular maintenance! The intervals recommended in your car’s owner’s manual are there for a reason, and by keeping up with tire rotations, inspections, oil changes, and beyond, you are putting money back in your pocket. Something else you can work on is being a safe driver, not only by avoiding any unnecessary braking or accelerating, avoid potholes, don’t park in tight spots, and avoid revving up your engine when you don’t need to. Other tips we recommend include keeping your interior and exterior clean as often as possible, keeping records of all of your maintenance/repairs, and avoiding aftermarket modifications.

At Northland CDJR, we never take advantage of our customers. We use all of the tools at our disposal to make sure that everyone is getting a fair and honest price, and we are always open to explaining more about this process to ensure no one feels jilted. You can start by using our online Value Your Trade tool, which can give you a first estimate of what your car may be worth! However, we always recommend bringing your car to us in person so our team can look more closely at the state of your car, including cleanliness, mechanical condition, and more. This could also be a great opportunity to view our new and used inventory and consider trading in your car for a vehicle that we have available on our lot. We’re always here for your needs!