Ford Trade-in FAQs

Finance Center Value Your Trade View New Inventory

If you currently own a car and you’re considering visiting a dealership to trade it in, you may have some questions about how it all works. Will you be getting fair value for your trade-in—and do you have all the documents in order to finish the deal?

At Mike Reichenbach Ford, our finance team is here to answer frequently asked questions about trade-ins around Florence, SC; Sumter, SC; Conway, SC; and Lumberton, NC. Trading in your car is usually very simple, so hopefully these answers clear up the process!   

How Do I Find My Car’s Trade-in Value?

There are many resources you can use to ascertain the value of your vehicle before you trade it in. We recommend you start with Kelley Blue Book® as a trusted source for trade-in research.

You can also use our Value Your Trade tool online to estimate your vehicle’s trade-in value. Remember, all offers are contingent on an appraisal by our certified technicians.

Can I Trade in a Car Without Buying a New One?

Yes! We commonly buy cars without requiring you to use it as a trade-in to buy your next car. You do have that option, though, as well as the option of leasing a new vehicle with us.

You could also simply pocket the check and head home. Selling your used car to a dealership, even when you’re not in the market for a new one, will save you the hassle of making a private sale.

Can I Trade in a Car Without a Title?

A title is proof that you own the car in question. As such, you must present a title with your name on it, or you won’t be able to sell to us (or any dealership, for that matter).

If you’ve misplaced the title, you can order a replacement title through the DMV. You will need to submit an application for a duplicate title, a valid form of ID, a copy of the registration, and a small fee.

Can I Trade in a Car With an Expired Registration?

Yes, you can, and this is a common occurrence. Your vehicle registration does not need to be current in order to trade in your car.

However, driving a car with expired registration is against the law. With this in mind, you may want to update your vehicle’s registration prior to the trade-in—or hire a tow truck to legally transport your car to the dealership.

Can I Trade in a Car if I Still Owe Money on it?

If you still owe on your car, the lienholder that provided the car loan (and has a legal claim to your financed car) will need to have the title sorted out with our dealership. In this instance, you will still be able to trade in your vehicle once the details are sorted out.   

Start the Trade-in Process Today

Was your trade-in question answered in these FAQs? If not, we encourage you to contact us with any queries you may still have.

Florence, South Carolina; Sumter, South Carolina; Conway, South Carolina; and Lumberton, North Carolina, drivers can reach out to our finance team to begin the trade-in process. We’ll see you soon at Mike Reichenbach Ford!