Thanks for both your answers above :) I think we will go for auto-traders and see what we can get. My husband was fuming with the garage we went to, so i don't think we'll be going back there in a hurry!

EF

...and remember that, quite often, these websites who tell you what your car is worth don't actually buy cars. They tell you what you want to hear so that they can earn their wages. (if there was one website which told you the 206 was worth £500, I doubt you would take any notice). Autotrader and the like are the best indicators of used car values.

One thing is for sure, the retail value is always higher than the trade value and, as Maxsteam says, no matter how it's dressed up - the garage will only truly give you the trade value. Go sell it yourself.

JJ

The best deals can usually be got by selling privately then buying the next car with cash.

Garages will, of course, try to convince you otherwise and many people go away happy to tell their frinds that they got a £2k trade in on an old banger ignorant of the fact that the garage will have added £2½k to the value of the new car.

Hi, We are looking for a small car - possibly a used Toyota Yaris for around £4500-5000, and to trade-in or private sell my Peugeot 206 (which is a Y reg 3-door SV with A/C). When we went to a garage today the chap said the best trade-in price was £1100. We were really surprised as we have checked 3 web-sites who all quoted around £1500 for the trade-in or private sell.

My question is really, what is my best option here:

1. Sell the 206 privately (to try to get the £1500), and then buy the new car without trade-in.

2. Take the trade-in price against the new car.

3. Sell the 206 privately and then get a Hire Purchase deal on a new car.

Please help, we are a bit confused as to what it the best way to go!!!

Thanks