Trade-in vs private sale

Dealer discount vs time and cost of selling yourself — which wins

Parameters

Market value of your car, $

Trade-in offer, $

Weeks to sell privately

Weekly sale cost (ads, cleaning, prep), $

Trade-in discount$1,800 (12%)

Private sale costs$480

Net result of private sale$14,520

Private sale wins by $1,320

Dealer trade-in discount is typically 10–15% below market — the price of speed and zero risk. Private sale adds listing/prep costs, time and scam/haggling risk. Liquid models usually win privately.