anyone had any dealings with garages when you are wanting to trade in your car as a part exchange?
i have a lexus is 200 se 02 plate and am looking to buy something newer and cheaper to run, i went into dixons who offered me £8000 and then toyota who offered £10,300 which is a big difference lexus have a same year car on sale at £14250 anyone no where to go who are honest and upfront about true values?

I think there's a monthly magazine you can buy (called something like Parkers Guide) that lists virtually every car with a guide to what they're actually selling for (with categories for age/condition). Have a look in the motoring bit of a newsagents.

Try this website

Parkers (http://www.parkers.co.uk)

Traders usually use they're own price guide but Parkers will tell you roughly what cars are worth

You can check the value on-line for free www.parkers.co.uk

even better if you can get hold of a glasses guide this is the guide the trade uses, you need to have a word with a friendly trader ;) i can get hold of a copy but not at the moment.

Parkers should give you a good idea of price though, some insurance companys even use parkers to value cars so it's pretty accurate. Also have a look at autotrader and see what other people are asking www.autotrader.co.uk

Originally posted by JamesRich
Try this website

Parkers (http://www.parkers.co.uk)

Traders usually use they're own price guide but Parkers will tell you roughly what cars are worth
Beat me to it james :)

ive just had a look at auto traders website,same car as mine are selling from £10,500 to £12,500 as private sales and as much as £14,000 at dealers this is alot more than dixons offer of £8000

They (dealers) will always offer less for trade in,remember they have to make a profit.
Always best to sell private if you can afford the wait.

Don't accept the first offer they give you on PX. Tell them you may sell it privately. If they won't offer significantly more, get a reduction off the 'Window Price' of the new vehicle. There is a lot of 'leeway' built into the prices they quote. They can always afford to giveway on the stated prices. Try not to get involved in buying warranties that are worse than useless, you may find that there is three months warranty on engine and gearbox included in the price. They also offer other 'Extras' that aren't really necessary, car mats and headlight protectors, special finish to protect against acid rain :suspect:

They probably make more on extras and finance than they do on the car sale :rant: