Why dealer offers are different
- Inspection and reconditioning costs
- Transportation and auction alternatives
- Inventory carrying costs
- Warranty and resale risk
- Required resale margin
Dealer trade-in research
Estimate what a dealer may offer for your trade-in
Dealer trade-in value is commonly lower than private-party value because the dealership must prepare, hold, and resell the vehicle.
Start a vehicle searchCompare both selling paths
Seller reports show the private-party market estimate, expected dealer trade-in value, and the approximate difference between them. This helps you evaluate the convenience of a trade-in against the potential additional return of selling privately.
An estimate—not a dealer offer
A dealership may offer more or less depending on current inventory needs, condition, title history, local demand, tax treatment, and the complete vehicle transaction.
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle value questions, answered
How much lower is trade-in value than private-party value?
There is no universal percentage. TrueMarket Autos applies an adjustable planning assumption to the current market average and clearly presents it as an estimated dealer trade-in value. Actual dealership offers vary.
Research with confidence
Research a vehicleSee what the current market says about a vehicle.
Search by VIN or license plate and review current comparable-market evidence before you buy, sell, or trade.