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Trading in your car in Brisbane: how to get the best price
Trade-in or private sale? How trade-in values are worked out in Brisbane, and the simple things that get you a better number.
A trade-in is when a dealer buys your current car as part of selling you the next one, taking its value off the price. In Brisbane it's faster and lower-hassle than a private sale, it can reduce the stamp duty you pay on your next car in Queensland, and a written trade-in offer is usually valid for around seven days.
Trade-in vs private sale
A private sale can fetch a bit more on paper, but it's slower and means ads, strangers, test drives and the paperwork on you. A trade-in is instant: you drive in with one car and out with another, the dealer can pay out any finance still owing, and you skip the change-over admin. For a lot of people the saved time and certainty is worth the difference.
How your car is valued
- Make, model and year.
- Odometer reading and overall condition.
- Service history and number of keys.
- Current Brisbane demand for that model.
- Any reconditioning the car will need before resale.
Simple steps to a better offer
- Give it a proper clean inside and out.
- Fix cheap, obvious faults like a blown bulb or a warning light.
- Gather the service records, both keys and the owner's manual.
- Be honest about faults, since they'll be found on inspection anyway.
- Get valued when demand is high for your type of car.
Still have finance owing?
That's normal and not a problem. The dealer can pay out your existing loan directly to the lender as part of the deal. You'll just need a current payout figure or letter so everyone knows the exact balance.
The QLD stamp duty saving
In Queensland, vehicle stamp duty on your next car is generally calculated on the change-over price, which is the new car's price minus your trade-in value. Trading in can therefore lower the duty you pay compared with buying outright and selling privately.
Trade in or sell to NOVO Budget
Tell us about your car on the Sell Your Car page or call the yard, and we'll come back with a written cash or trade-in offer, typically within 24 hours. We buy cars outright too, even if you're not buying one from us.