what is trade price

Trade price is the rough wholesale value a dealer will pay for a vehicle—or offer you on a trade-in—before they add reconditioning, warranty and a margin.

It’s usually lower than private-sale and retail (drive-away) prices, sometimes by thousands, because the dealer cops risk, time and on-road costs.

It hinges on kilometres, condition, service history, demand and options, not how sentimental you feel about the floor mats.

Use it as your baseline: selling privately, aim above trade; trading in, judge the changeover figure, not the shiny number on the windscreen.

For a reality check, browse Tradingpost to see retail asks and gauge the gap to trade.