What to Bring When Trading In Your Car

What to Bring When Trading In Your Car - Germain Toyota of Columbus

It’s always an exciting time when you’re trading in your old car for a new model. You likely can’t wait to jump behind the wheel and begin enjoying all of the great new features of your new car. However, there are a few things to consider bringing with you to the dealership in order to ensure that you have a smooth and stress-free trade-in process. Our team at Germain Toyota of Columbus has created this informative guide that covers all of the things you need to bring with you when trading in your vehicle. We want to provide you with all the information you need to start enjoying your new car as quickly as possible!


What Documents Should I Bring?

What Documents Should I Bring?

Taking the time to make sure you have all the required paperwork and documents with you can save you time and hassle when trading in your vehicle. By being prepared, you’ll avoid having to make multiple trips to the dealership, enjoy a streamlined experience, and get a head start on enjoying your new vehicle.

  • Proof of Car Insurance
  • Vehicle Title
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Trade-In Value Quote/Offer Sheet (if applicable)
  • Driver’s License
  • Maintenance Records/Receipts
  • Auto Loan Information (account numbers, payoff amount, loan servicer contact information)

Although your situation may not involve all the documents mentioned above, it’s always better to bring more than you need to avoid any delays or headaches. The best way to ensure a smooth and straightforward trade-in transaction is to bring all the documentation you need with you to the dealership.


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Additional Things to Bring When Trading In Your Car

Along with the proper paperwork, there are a number of other key items that we recommend bringing with you to the dealership when trading in your vehicle. Our first suggestion is to take a moment to verify that all of your personal items like garage door openers, sunglasses, EZ-Pass transponders, parking passes, gloves, and other miscellaneous items have been removed from your vehicle. This helps you avoid leaving anything behind! Other items that you should bring with you to the dealership include:

  • All vehicle keys and remotes (including the valet key if applicable)
  • Owner’s manual
  • Headphone sets (for vehicles with rear entertainment systems)
  • Wheel lock key

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Car Shopping Tips from Germain Toyota of Columbus

Even if you’re in the early stages of shopping for your next vehicle, Germain Toyota of Columbus is here to help you get started! We’ve assembled a selection of our most helpful tools and vehicle comparison guides that can help you narrow down your choices. Armed with the right information, you’ll be able to avoid some of the most common car-buying mistakes and shop like a pro!