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KEY FACTORS TO ASSESS WHEN EVALUATING TRADES
VEHICLE HISTORY CONDITIONS
The most obvious item on any dealership's checklist when evaluating trade-ins is a vehicle's service history.
This becomes increasingly important as dealers are considering holding on to older models to supplement
their available inventory, such as 2015 models and beyond with low mileage, as these factors are key for
predicting recondition costs.
Set clearly defined standards regarding how to analyze a vehicle's history, including the data sources and
tools your team uses, with considerations such as:
• Did the owner conduct regular maintenance?
• Does the accident history report detail any collisions or crashes?
• Are there any signs of vehicle damage?
• Does your entire service team abide by a single standard for determining when damage exceeds your limits
for reconditioning?
• Does the vehicle show any signs of home repairs?
• Was the vehicle subject to any unaddressed manufacturer recalls?
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