I've been talking to my local Mazda dealer for a few days about trading my car in for a manual tranny. He wants me to bring my current Protege in for an estimate towards a trade-in.

Am I legaly obligated to tell them that the car was in an accident after which i had to replace/repair the bumper/hood/fender/radiator?

Will the fact that the car was in an accident decrease it's trade-in value even though it was repaired with all Mazda factory parts?

I'm not trying to scam the dealer, but if they don't ask...I'd rather not tell.

 

NO, you are not obligated to tell them anything at all.....


so don't.....even though it shouldn't make any difference....they MAY try to rip you off and tell you it will...and refuse to give you as much for a trade...

not to mention....if their appraiser is worth his salt.....he will be able to tell anyway....

but if they don't ask....don't tell.

believe me....they are going to make money hand over fist on your car anyway.

 

I was also thinking about trading my car in for a manual and my car only has 3000 miles on it.

 

mine has about 7500 miles on it


how much $$$ should I expect to fork over at the trade in?

 

If they know it is wrecked they might try and screw you. When I was trying to get rid of my last vehicle 2 dealerships said they took off half the price of the repairs done to the vehicle. The 3rd dealership I visited was the Mazda dealership and they said they didn't care and they would give me NADA trade in value for it. I ended up selling it privately for more money then any of them offered though.

Look up NADA trade in value for your car. They will probably give you somewhere close to that.

 

I would think the dealership has every right to offer you less money for a previously repaired car. Anyone who wants to buy it from them may be able to find the wreck on a carfax report, and won't pay the same for yours vs. a non-repaired car. If they won't sell it for the same, why should they pay you the same?

BUT - you are in NO way obligated to tell them. Buyer beware - and THEY are the buyer. Keep it to yourself, but be honest if they do ask.

~HH

 

you guy's that wanna trade your car in so early in the purchase...are gonna loose your ***...cuz you haven't paid any principal yet, just interest. and the car has depreicated prolly 20-30%, i've seen '02 P5s going for ~$13-14,000's so the dealer is prolly offering them $11.5-12,000....


and i agree, try not to tell them , but don't lie to them either....makes them mad...