We all know the term “trade-in.” We all wonder if trading-in is the good deal it seems to be. The best way to figure that out is to understand the trade-in process and how to prepare your car for the best possible trade-in value.

The advantages of trading-in your vehicle begin with convenience. You avoid the hassle of selling the car yourself. You don’t need to worry about advertising the car to prospective buyers, including writing an ad, posting an ad in a print or online publication or paying for the ad once it’s posted. In addition, you avoid the inconveniences of setting appointments, showing the vehicle and offering test-drives.

The ultimate convenience is transferring the credit of your trade-in toward the purchase of another vehicle. When a car dealer buys your vehicle, you avoid the paperwork and simply provide your signature on the required documents.

You can sell your vehicle to a third party and hope you can make more money than you would receive if you traded-in. Just don’t forget to factor in the “legwork” and hassles involved in a “Do-It-Yourself” vehicle sale.

Of course, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you get top dollar for your vehicle, whether you trade-in or sell it yourself.

Cleaning your vehicle before you bring it to a dealer makes sense. A car that looks good will send the message that you have cared for your car over time.

Do a thorough cleaning of the outside - both wash and wax. There are some excellent products on the market to give you good results. You can also use the services of a professional detailer whose job it is to get your vehicle as close to showroom condition as possible.

Now give the interior the same type of cleaning. You know the drill! Clean out all the debris including whatever extraneous stuff you have in the trunk or cargo area. Wash and wipe all surfaces. When you do clean the doors, wipe the insides of the doorframes and clean the sills you step over to enter the vehicle. Shampoo the rugs and mats. Use plastic and vinyl treatments to bring back luster on the trim.

Next, take a look at the engine bay. If the motor is dirty, greasy or coated with grime, you’ll want to make it match the newly restored condition of the exterior. Again, you can do-it-yourself or have your detailer or mechanic clean up the engine. Here’s how it’s done: Spray on engine degreaser and give it a bit of time to loosen the grime. Then, hose the motor clean on the topside and the underside if possible. Battery deposits can be cleaned with a solution of baking soda and water.

If your vehicle needs any repairs, you should consider getting the work done before you present your vehicle as a trade-in. After all, if you have gone to the trouble of detailing, shouldn’t your vehicle be in good mechanical shape?

There’s good reason to document the maintenance performed on your vehicle. If you have the service and maintenance records, you have proof that the vehicle has been well maintained. If you haven’t made a practice of this, make it a habit with your next vehicle.

Now you have your vehicle ready to look and run its best. Hey, it’s just like going to a job interview! Dress for success. However, there is one last thing to do. You should get an estimated value for your vehicle as a trade-in. Visit NADAguides.com Used Car Information Center for a range of value based on overall condition and mileage and advise you on the likely value of your vehicle as a trade-in.

Now that your vehicle is clean and you have your service records and approximate value in hand, you are ready to trade!