1. Clean it inside and out. A clean car is worth more than a dirty one. You will make a better first impression if it is washed and cleaned. This also gives the appearance that you took good care of it during the time that you owned it.

2. Make sure it runs properly. If you have to push or pull your trade-in to the dealer, you probably will not get much for it unless they are running a special. Fix some of the less costly repairs to get it running as good as possible without sinking too much money into it.

3. Don’t mention the trade-in until the end of the negotiation. The trade-in should not be part of the financing process. Once you have negotiated the price on your next car, mention the trade-in and negotiate a price for that next.

These are just a few simple things you can do to maximize your car’s trade-in value. If you can get a good deal with your trade-in, it’s a win-win situation.