Honda Trade Ins: Trade-In Value, Programs, & What To Know

in Financing and Leasing

We examine everything you need to know about Honda trade-ins: value, trade-in programs, what determines trade-in value, and basic do's and don'ts.

Honda logo on a black car
Source: Flickr

Honda is one of the biggest car manufacturers distributing vehicles in the United States, with classics like the Honda Odyssey and Honda Accord. If you’re a Honda fanatic, you might have an older Honda you want to trade to get credit towards a new one. In that case, what do you need to know about the Honda trade-in process?

If you’re looking to learn more about the Honda trade-in process, you’re in the right place. The more familiar you are with this process, the easier to decide if trading your current vehicle is the right choice. Keep reading to learn about the trade-in value for Hondas, Honda’s trading program, and other helpful information for this process. 

Do Hondas Have a High Trade-In Value?

When considering the Honda trade-in process, it’s valuable to examine whether Hondas have a high value upon trade-in. Like other vehicles over the past couple of years, the value of Hondas has rocketed up nearly 25% past earlier price points. It’s dropped over the past year, but not by too much.

According to iseecars.com, several Honda iterations stand out as holding their value the best. These include the Honda Fit, the Honda Civic in the coupe format, the Honda Civic in the hatchback format, and the Honda Civic in its classic state. If you want to maximize your trade-in value, go for one of these selections.

No two Honda choices are the same when you invest. We recommend always performing your research before investing in a particular model to ensure you’re making a choice that will retain its value for the long haul.


DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP

The CoPilot car shopping app is the smartest way to buy a car. Get a curated list of the best cars for sale in your area, as well as notifications if a similar vehicle is listed nearby at a lower price. CoPilot is the smartest way to shop for used cars. 


Does Honda Have a Trade-In Program?

For those who want to trade in their Honda but aren’t sure where to start, there’s the possibility of working with the Honda Vehicle Exchange Program. This adaptation by the manufacturer is made to make trading in a Honda vehicle as simple as possible, ensuring the dealership and the investor in the new car have the most beneficial experience.

Here’s what you will find assistance within the Vehicle Exchange Program:

  • No additional expenses in trading
  • Highest possible value for the current Honda
  • Lower monthly payments
  • Improved financing terms

Honda attempts to make everything as simple as possible for those participating.

With the assistance of the Honda Vehicle Exchange Program, it won’t take too much work to turn your older Honda into something that will provide substantial credit towards your Honda selection. If possible, we recommend heading to a dealership that offers this assistance if you want help or want to access the best deal in your trade.

What Determines the Trade-In Value of My Car?

Participating in a trade-in can be a new process and an exciting endeavor, but it can also be frustrating. Maybe you head to the dealership and are offered a value that’s much lower than what you anticipated. Before setting expectations in your mind, consider some of the factors that will impact the trade-in value of your machine.

According to marketwatch.com, here are some items that can impact the trade-in value of your vehicle: 

  • Packages and equipment added to the vehicle
  • Mileage on the odometer
  • Time of year the trade occurs
  • State and condition of the vehicle

These can seriously impact the trade-in value of the vehicle.

Consider these items before heading in for your trade-in experience, from the mileage on your odometer to the time of year the trade occurs. If your vehicle is in an unfortunate state and is an older model, you’re going to get a much lower value than a newer selection in excellent condition. 


DO HONDAS HOLD THEIR VALUE?

When it comes to purchasing a Honda vehicle, a key consideration for many buyers is the question: do Hondas hold their value?


When Should You Not Trade In Your Car?

Perhaps you want to get rid of a vehicle, but you’re unsure which direction to go. Should you sell a car or trade it? There are a few instances when you should not trade in your vehicle.

According to kbb.com, here are some instances where trading in your vehicle is a bad idea:

  • You owe way more money than the car is worth
  • Any new machine you want is inflated

These make trading an unwise selection. 

The cost of vehicles has risen over the years, so it’s a much better choice to sell your car or keep it if the new selection you want costs too much. Also, you don’t want to trade if you owe more on the vehicle than it’s worth - you’ll just be transferring that unfortunate debt over to the next car you purchase.


WHAT’S THE CHEAPEST HONDA ON THE MARKET?

They’re not the priciest manufacturer, but many Ford vehicles don’t fit the average price range. What is the cheapest Honda car on the market?


What Not To Do While Trading in a Car

Finally, when looking at the Honda trade-in process, there are several etiquette items you should consider before heading to the dealership for a trade. These will make everything much easier to handle and ensure you make the right choice for your vehicle.

According to exit5auto.com, here are some considerations for your Honda trade-in:

  • Not looking at multiple offers
  • Over or under-estimating the value
  • Spending too much on updates
  • Not speaking on trading immediately

These could influence the overall experience.

Always ensure you get multiple offers before deciding which dealership you want to go with for your trade. Don’t spend too much on upgrades, because they won’t add too much to the vehicle and will cost you an ample amount of money to deal with. Also, refrain from under or overestimating a vehicle.

Is Trading In a Honda Worth It?

We’ve talked about many things associated with a Honda trade-in, from the value of the Honda when trading in the machine to things you won’t want to do when it comes time to head to the dealership. Now - is it worth it to trade in your Honda?

If your Honda is in excellent condition and the vehicle you want doesn’t cost too much, it’s worth it to trade in your Honda. They can be valuable cars, depending on which one you purchase. Trading is a practical choice for those who want something different.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.