If the vehicle is new, you should ideally wait until at least year three of ownership to trade it in to a dealership, as this is when depreciation normally slows down. If it's used, it already went through the big drop in depreciation and you can usually trade it in after a year or so.
For example, a used 2015 midsize SUV with 100,000 miles still holds 50 percent of its original value; however, a midsize car with 100,000 miles retains only 42 percent of its value. The gap further widens between older, low-mileage used SUVs and passenger cars.
If you think you might want to trade it in again, choose an optimal time. That way, you increase your potential trade-in value. There is no exact mileage number that will make or break your vehicle's trade-in value — but if it's possible, you should trade your vehicle in before it reaches 100,000 miles.
Typically, the first two quarters of the calendar year offer higher values for trade-ins. That's because early in the year, buyer numbers are up, and dealers need more vehicles to meet demand. Additionally, since new models usually come out in the summer or fall, the further away from that time, the newer a car feels.
When you take out an auto loan, the car is used as collateral until all the money has been repaid. In most cases, it's in your best interest to pay off your car loan before you trade in your car.
In most cases, the first service for a used car is usually between 30,000 and 40,000 miles; by the 70,000-mile mark, the service visit is usually more expensive and might require more work, such as changing the timing belt, according to Edmunds.
Most professional mechanics will tell you that 12,000 miles per year is an accurate estimate for a car that has not been overdriven and considered to have high mileage.
Best mileage level for a trade-in
Sure, the value of your car drops slightly with every 10,000 miles you add. But according to Edmunds data, there is no major drop-off at any certain milestone. Even the 100,000-mile mark is not a value-killer as long as the car is in good shape. The truth is, there is no magic number.
When resale value is high: Importantly, the car depreciates in value by around 50% after 4-5 years, and if you want to get a good resale price, you should sell it before it slides down further.
The two biggest factors that affect car depreciation are your vehicle's age and mileage. Automakers release new models every year, “so older versions are regarded as less valuable,” says Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for Kelley Blue Book. And the more miles on a car, the less it's worth.
When you trade in your car to a dealership, its value is subtracted from the price of the new car. When you trade in a car with a loan, the dealer takes over the loan and pays it off.
A vehicle trade-in may be all or some of the down payment you make on your vehicle purchase. Like a cash down payment, a trade-in can reduce the cost of your new car, which cuts down how much you need to borrow and your monthly payment. If you want, you can provide a mix of trade-in value and cash as your down payment.
In general, however, people don't really keep their cars forever. Research by R.L. Polk says that the average age of a modern vehicle is 11.4 years, while the average length of time drivers keep a new vehicle is 71.4 months — around 6 years.
There's no absolute number of miles that is too many for a used car. But consider 200,000 as an upper limit, a threshold where even modern cars begin to succumb to the years of wear and tear.
Generally, vehicles are likely to start experiencing problems after the 100,000-mile mark. Also, in most cases, they no longer have a valid manufacturer's warranty, meaning you have to pay for repairs out of your own pocket when something goes wrong.
Is Mileage More Important Than Age? The short answer is no. There is no clear winner in the battle of mileage vs age. This is because, when shopping for a used car, you don't just base your decision on either one.
So for a car that's four years old, you might reasonably expect it to have around 57,200 miles.
A car that is six years old should have around 90,000 miles.
So if you're looking at a 10-year-old vehicle, around 120,000 miles on the odometer is typical. But some vehicles travel more, and some travel less.
Consider Your Tires
While we don't generally suggest buying new tires before trading in your vehicle, it can be a good idea in certain cases. One is if the tires have absolutely no remaining tread. The dealer will use this as a negotiating point to offer a lower price.
If your car's trade-in value is more than your current loan balance, then you're all set—you can just pay off the old loan and apply the difference toward the cost of your new vehicle.
If your trade-in is financed and you have equity, the dealer will pay the remainder of the loan and subtract the equity from the price of the less expensive car. If the equity of your trade-in exceeds the price of the car your trading for, the dealer will cut you a check for the difference.
When you trade in a vehicle you still owe money on, the dealer takes over the loan and pays it off on your behalf. They also typically handle the process of transferring the title.