Open Today Sales: 8:30 AM-9 PM
Your trade-in is worth what a dealer can sell it for, minus what it will cost to get it ready. Condition, mileage, trim and how fast that model sells in the Oklahoma City market set the number, and online guides give you a starting range rather than a final offer. The figure that counts is the one you get after an in-person appraisal, and it can go straight toward your next Chevy, or you can sell your car outright without buying anything.
Our sales team is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and closed Sunday, so you can bring your car in for an appraisal after work from Oklahoma City or Edmond.
A dealer's appraisal starts from the same question every time: what will this car sell for here, and what will it cost to get it there? These are the factors that move that number, and the ones you can still do something about before you come in.
| Factor | Why it moves the value | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Year, make, model and trim | Sets the baseline. A higher trim or a sought-after engine starts from a higher number than a base model of the same year. | Know your exact trim and options. The window sticker or the original sales paperwork helps. |
| Mileage | Fewer miles than average for the age usually means a higher offer, and high miles reduce it. | Note the exact odometer reading before you look up values. |
| Mechanical condition | Warning lights, leaks, worn tires and brakes all become reconditioning costs that come off the offer. | Major repairs rarely return more than they cost, so get an appraisal before you fix anything big. |
| Cosmetic condition | Dents, curb-rashed wheels, cracked glass and interior wear are visible on the lot, so they're priced in. | Clean it inside and out, and remove personal items. A clean car is easier to evaluate. |
| History | Prior accidents and title issues lower what a retail buyer will pay. | Be upfront. It comes out in the vehicle history report anyway. |
| Local demand | Trucks and SUVs that move quickly on Oklahoma City lots can bring stronger offers than models that sit. | Nothing to fix here, but it's why national guides and local offers can differ. |
| Keys, manuals and equipment | A missing second key or a missing factory item is a cost the dealer has to cover. | See the checklist below for what to bring. |
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests looking up your car's approximate value before you shop, using sites such as Consumer Reports, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book and JD Power. That's good advice, and it gives you a range to work with.
What a guide can't do is see your car. Online tools rely on what you tell them about condition, and most people rate their own car a grade higher than an appraiser would. They also use regional or national data, which may not match how quickly your model sells in Oklahoma City this month. Treat an online number as a starting point, then get a real appraisal so you're comparing offers rather than estimates.
Each dealer prices a trade-in against its own lot. A store that's short on your model, or sells that model quickly, can offer more than one that already has several on the lot.
An appraisal reflects the car on the day it's inspected. New damage, extra miles or a warning light before you hand over the keys can change the figure, so ask how long an offer stands.
A private sale can bring more money, but it costs you time and comes with risks. A trade-in is simpler and settles your old car and your new one in a single visit. Here's how the two compare.
| Consideration | Trade in at a dealer | Sell it yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually lower than a private sale | Often higher, if you find the right buyer |
| Time | One visit, often the same day | Listings, calls, test drives and meetups, sometimes for weeks |
| Paying off a loan | The dealer pays off your lender as part of the deal | You handle the payoff and title transfer with the buyer |
| Payment risk | None for you | You have to verify the buyer's payment |
| Using the money | Credited straight toward your next vehicle | Cash you can use as a down payment |
If you're not buying right now, you can still sell your car to a dealer for a straight offer. It's the same appraisal, without a purchase attached.
If you're trading in and buying in the same visit around Oklahoma City or Edmond, this is the usual order, so you know what to expect at each step.
We inspect the car and give you a trade-in figure. Get it in writing so you can compare it with other offers.
If you still owe money, the payoff amount from your lender is subtracted from the trade value. What's left is your equity.
Positive equity lowers the amount you finance, the same way a down payment does. That reduces your total loan cost.
Check that the trade-in figure, payoff and price on the contract match what you agreed to before you sign anything.
Negotiate the trade-in and the price of the new vehicle as separate numbers. The CFPB lists trade-in value among the things you can negotiate, alongside the price and the loan terms. Keeping them apart makes it easier to see whether each one is fair. Our guide to Chevrolet financing in OKC explains how your trade-in equity fits into the loan, and if you're weighing a promotional rate, read how Chevy 0% APR offers work.
Owing more on your loan than the car is worth is called negative equity, or being upside down. It's common in the first few years of a long loan, and it changes the math of a trade-in.
You have three choices. You can pay down the difference in cash, wait until your balance drops below the car's value, or roll the remaining balance into your new loan. The CFPB warns that rolling it over makes the new loan more expensive, because you're borrowing for more than the price of the new vehicle. If you do roll it over, a shorter loan term helps you avoid being upside down again on the next car.
Call your lender and ask for a payoff quote, since that's the number a dealer needs, not the balance on your last statement. If you lease rather than own, your lease-end options work differently. See our Chevrolet lease return page, and our buy vs. lease guide if you're deciding what to do next.
Having these ready keeps the appraisal and any trade quick.
The title if you own the car outright, or your lender's name, account number and payoff amount if you still have a loan. Bring your current registration too.
A valid driver's license for everyone listed on the title, since each owner may need to sign.
All keys and fobs, the owner's manual, and anything that came with the car, such as a cargo cover or a tonneau cover.
Receipts for maintenance and recent repairs. They show the car's been looked after and can support a stronger offer.
How much can I get for my trade-in?
It depends on your car's year, trim, mileage, condition, history and how well that model sells in the Oklahoma City market. Online guides give you a starting range, but the figure you can act on comes from an in-person appraisal.
Is a Kelley Blue Book value what a dealer will pay?
Not necessarily. Guides such as Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and JD Power estimate a range from the details you enter, while a dealer's offer reflects an inspection of your actual car and current local demand. Use the guide to set expectations, then compare real offers.
Can I trade in a car I still owe money on?
Yes. The dealer pays off your lender, and the payoff amount is subtracted from your trade-in value. If you owe more than the car is worth, the difference is negative equity, which you can pay in cash or roll into your new loan, though rolling it over makes the new loan more expensive.
Do I have to buy a car to sell mine to Bob Howard Chevrolet?
No. You can get an appraisal and sell your car outright without buying anything.
Should I fix my car before trading it in?
Usually only the small things, such as a good cleaning and replacing a missing key if it's easy. Major repairs rarely add as much to the offer as they cost, so get an appraisal first and decide from there.
What should I bring to a trade-in appraisal?
Bring the title or your lender's details and payoff amount, your registration, a driver's license for each owner on the title, all keys and fobs, and any service records.
When can I bring my car in for an appraisal?
Our sales team is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and closed Sunday, at 13130 N Broadway Ext in Oklahoma City near Edmond.
Start on our Value Your Trade page, then bring your car in for an appraisal you can act on, whether you're trading up to a new Chevy or just selling.
Sales: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Closed Sunday.
