Part Exchange in Tyne and Wear

Selling a car privately takes time, calls and haggling. Part exchange swaps that effort for convenience: you hand over your old car, and its value goes towards the car you are buying.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we offer part exchange as part of our used car sales, for buyers across Tyne and Wear. This page explains how it works and what we look at when valuing your vehicle.

How part exchange works

You tell us about your current car, and we look it over. We assess its condition, history and the market for that type of vehicle, then discuss a value with you. If you are happy, that value is deducted from the price of the car you are buying.

The convenience is real, since there is no separate sale to arrange and no waiting on a buyer. The trade-off is that a private sale can sometimes achieve a different figure, and only you can weigh that against the effort involved.

What affects the value

The value is not a fixed formula. We look at the make, model, age and mileage, then at the condition: bodywork, interior, tyres, mechanical health, service history and any warning lights. Demand for that kind of vehicle also changes over time.

We explain how we reached the value, rather than just stating a number. If something is dragging it down, such as accident damage or an overdue service, you should be told what it is.

• Age and mileage
• Bodywork and interior condition
• Service history and paperwork
• Tyres, brakes and mechanical condition
• Number of keys and any modifications

What to bring and prepare

Bring the V5C logbook, the service book or invoices, all keys, the handbook and any MOT paperwork you have. A tidy car helps the first impression, though we are looking at the vehicle itself, not the air freshener.

If your car is on finance, tell us at the start. You would need to find out the settlement position from your finance provider, and we will explain how that fits into a deal. We cannot give financial advice, so check your own agreement.

Being realistic, and your alternatives

A car that is unreliable, damaged or heavily worn is still worth discussing, but expectations should be realistic. We will be straightforward about it, and we do not promise to take any particular car.

If the numbers do not suit you, you are free to keep the car or sell it another way. There is no obligation to proceed. If you are buying and want to know about finance options where available, ask us as part of the same conversation.