Car Trade-In Checklist

After thousands of miles with your go-to car traversing the landscape surrounding Port Arthur and Nederland, TX, and Lake Charles, LA, you’ve made the decision to purchase a new or used car. You may have already picked out the next car you want to drive at our Energy Country Ford dealership—or you may still be looking. Either way, we have you covered.

Before you trade in your current vehicle, you’ll want to follow our comprehensive trade-in checklist. We want you to get the highest value—so let’s get started.

Vehicle Trade-in FAQs

Before Visiting Us: Clean and Prep

One simple way to up the overall value of your trade-in is by cleaning the inside and outside, and repairing any known blemishes like dents, dings, or scratches. Though these may seem like small gestures, they make for noticeable differences in terms of the car’s overall trade-in value.

When you’re cleaning the inside, dust, wax, and maybe place a fresh-smelling air freshener. The nicer the appearance, the higher the appraisal may be.

Before Visiting Us: Service and Repair

What lies under the hood plays a pivotal role in the longevity of the car you’re wishing to trade in. You may have had this model for a decade, or maybe just a few years, but we suggest following up with a routine maintenance at our service center if you haven’t done so recently.

Just as important is the potential for any repairs. If you think a component of your car may need repairing, like with the brake system or air conditioning unit, stop by our service center. By doing so, the car can run as intended—and the trade-in appraisal may rise!

While Visiting Us: Bring Documentation

Once you’ve checked off each of these trade-in checklist items, the only step left in the process is to formally trade in the car itself. To do so, we kindly ask you bring the following documentation with you:

• Driver’s license and social security number
• Title to the car
• Proof of auto insurance
• Reports of any accidents, plus a log of all maintenance and repairs
• Original lien release if you still have loan payments

Providing each of these allows the process to continue smoothly and efficiently. If you’re curious about any other documentation you may need to provide, reach out to us online or over the phone! We’re happy to provide peace of mind whenever we can.

Take Notes on Our Trade-In Checklist

The Energy Country Ford team understands the process of trading in your car is bittersweet, given the time you spent behind its wheel. Still, we want to provide you with new memories, ones that you’ll cherish throughout Port Arthur and Nederland, TX, and Lake Charles, LA.

We’re available whenever you need us. Contact us today!