Trade-In Question Script

Builds a short, friendly list of questions for a salesperson to ask a customer about their trade-in, so the dealer collects the facts the appraiser needs and nothing is missed.

Used car dealerAuto and Transport✓ Checkedv1.0

Before and after

BEFORE · what the owner typed

need trade questions for a customer. Nancy Delaney is coming in about the 2011 Mazda CX-5, white, for a trade on a car we have on the lot. we're Flinthaven Auto Sales on Easthaven Rd in Blackdale. i'm Ned Farley, sales. she texted me 262-555-0166. she told me it has around 138,000 miles and she has 2 keys. she said she still owes on it. nothing else yet. i want her to send photos too. appraiser is Nell Ford, she looks at it when it comes in. after she answers i'll tell you what she said.

AFTER · what the skill produced

Hi Nancy, this is Ned Farley at Flinthaven Auto Sales, and thanks for thinking of us for your trade, these short questions help us give you a fair, accurate appraisal.

What we know so far

2011 Mazda CX-5, white
About 138,000 miles (per Nancy)
2 keys (per Nancy)
There is a loan on it (per Nancy)

Ownership and paperwork

Whose name or names are on the title?
Who is the lender on your loan?
Do you know your approximate payoff amount?
As far as you know, is the title clean, or has it ever been marked salvage, rebuilt, or something similar?

Condition
5. Are there any warning lights on the dashboard right now?
6. Does the vehicle have any mechanical problems you know of?
7. Has it ever been in an accident or had body repair?
8. Is there any damage to the seats, carpet, or headliner?
9. Has anyone smoked in it?
10. Have pets ridden in it often?
11. Have you had any recent repairs or new parts, such as tires or brakes?

Features and extras
12. Does it have a sunroof?
13. Does it have any add-ons you put in after you bought it?
14. Do you have service records you can bring?

Photos and viewing
15. Could you text photos of all four sides, the interior, the dashboard with the key on, the odometer, and the tires by replying here?
16. When would you like to bring it in so we can look it over?

Please know that our appraiser, Nell Ford, confirms the final appraisal after she inspects the vehicle in person. We can't give you a value before then. Thanks, Nancy.

Questions for the owner

Is there a different number or email you want the customer to send photos to? I had her reply to this thread.
May we contact her lender for the payoff amount with her permission? I did not include that in the questions.
Are there any other questions you always want asked, such as about the lien or title?

What it does

Builds a short, friendly list of questions for a salesperson to ask a customer about their trade-in, so the dealer collects the facts the appraiser needs and nothing is missed. It also gives a clean summary of the answers once the customer replies.

Use it when: Use when a used car dealer needs a script of questions to ask a customer about their trade-in vehicle, such as: trade-in questions, what do I ask about the trade, trade-in appraisal script, or get the facts on this customer's trade.