Trade-In Value, Retail Value, and Charitable Value Explained

When talking about how much your car is worth, there are actually few different values to keep in mind. There is the trade-in value of your car, there is the retail value of your car, and there is the charitable value of your car. So what’s the difference between these numbers, and what options do you have when you choose to get rid of your car?

Here’s the difference between trade-in value, retail value, and charitable value.

How is trade-in value determined?

Your trade-in value is determined for the most part by the condition and desirability of your car. The following factors will drive the value of your car either higher or lower.

The age of your car
The mileage of your car
The maintenance history of your car
The current market demand, both for used cars and your particular make and model
The overall condition of your car

The biggest factor overall will be the market demand for your car. After all, supply and demand is the most important thing in sales. The more in demand your car is, the higher the trade-in value will be. When you shop for a new car you should always consider the average resale value of the car make and model you are considering.

The trade-in value of your car will always be lower than the retail value of your car. This is because the car dealership ultimately is the middleman in this sale. You want to get rid of your car with minimum hassle, and the dealer wants to make money by doing the extra legwork of selling it. It is a win-win situation that means you do not have to advertise and find a person who wants to buy your car. But the flip side of that is simple: you will not get as much money for your car.

Another reason for this difference in value is the conditioning that goes into selling a car. A dealership will never sell a used car as-is to a customer. They will wash, vacuum, detail, and make any repairs necessary to get the highest price for your car. In other words they are making an investment to increase the sale price of your car. They make up for this cost by offering you less money.

Trading in your car is a great option if you are buying a car from a dealership and want to knock a significant amount off of your financing amount. You do not need to deal with the headache of selling your car privately and the dealer can handle all of the paperwork at the same time.

How is retail value determined?

Retail value is determined by many of the same factors as the trade-in value: age, mileage, maintenance, market demand, and overall condition. But retail value will depend on how you choose to sell your car.

The classic way to sell your car is by privately selling it to another individual. There are a number of ways you can go about this, from advertising online to simply putting your car on your lawn with a for sale sign. But private sales will garner a higher value than a trade-in value because you are not paying for a middle man to make the sale.

But there is now a new way to sell your car: the instant cash offer. There are many sites online that will offer you an instant cash offer for your used car. You simply fill out your car’s information and they will make you a fixed offer on your car. There is no room to negotiate or haggle, it’s merely a straightforward way to get your used car off of your hands. If you accept the instant cash offer you will drop your car off at a participating dealership and receive your payment.

There are a number of companies that now offer instant cash offers. These companies include:

Kelley Blue Book
Edmunds
CarMax
TrueCar
CarMax
And many more

Instant cash offers are becoming more and more popular and many people feel that they are very worthwhile. The amount of money they will give you vs. how quick it is seems to be a great trade off for many. But it is still important to note that you can make more money by selling your car privately. When you sell privately you are able to negotiate, hold out, and angle your advertising appropriately. The power is yours, but so is the headache and time commitment.

Ultimately retail value is determined by your car’s condition, the market demand, and your savviness for sales.

How is the charitable value of a car determined?

When you want to get rid of your car you can trade it in or you can sell it privately as we discussed. But there is also a third option–donating it to charity.

Donating your car to charity can be beneficial for both you and the charity. Typically a charity will either give or sell the car to someone in need or they will use it for their own purposes.

Determine which organization you should contact.

The most important step is finding a charity that is able to accept a car as a donation. The organization must be IRS tax-exempt. It may be a religious organization, charity, or other organization that promotes literacy, education, or humanitarianism.

Determine your car’s fair value.

The fair market value of your car is a major consideration of the charitable value. A Kelley Blue Book search can give you a good idea of how much your car is worth for its mileage and current condition. You need to be honest about the condition of your car to avoid any issue with your deduction. In other words, if your car has visible damage be sure to not mark it as being in “excellent condition”.

Determine the organization’s plan of usage.

You can deduct a different amount from your taxes based on what the organization plans to do with your car.

If they sell your car: The IRS limits your deduction amount to the sale price of your car even if that number is below the market value. If your car is sold for less than $500 you can deduct either $500 or its fair market value, whichever is less. If they sell your car you must complete Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale to make the deduction eligible.

If they keep your car for their own use: You can deduct the determined fair value of your car. If this value is over $5,000 you will need to have your car appraised in order to claim the deduction.

Complete the paperwork.

Whatever the deduction value ends up being, be sure to get an official document from the organization stating that you donated your vehicle. This document should include your name, social security number, the VIN, and the date of donation. If you received anything as compensation, even if it is something small, it must be noted on this document and the value of that must be subtracted from the amount you want to deduct.

The donation is not complete until the title is transferred out of your name, so be sure to follow through until all paperwork is complete.

What should I do when I want to get rid of my car?

If you are trying to decide the best way to get rid of your car, here’s how you can quickly decide the best option for you.

Trade it in. Trade your car in if you are planning on getting a new car from a dealership and do not want to deal with the hassle of a private sale.
Sell it privately. Selling privately is the best option if you have the time to prepare your car and advertise the sale. If you are in a rush to get cash you can try an instant cash offer from one of the many companies that offer this service.
Donate it. Donating your car is a great thing to do if you care about an organization and want to do something meaningful to help. It is not a good idea if you are strapped for cash, as the deduction will pale in comparison to the benefit of a cash sale. But the satisfaction of donating a car to a worthy cause is hard to beat.

Weighing all of your options is important when making a financial decision such as this. Ultimately the choice will depend on your financial situation, the condition of your car, and how much time you want to spend getting rid of your car.

That’s the difference between trade-in value, retail value, and charitable value.

While these values differ slightly, they are all based on what the market dictates. If a car is desirable, it will have a higher value across the board.

If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your car yet but are ready to say goodbye to your car loan, Auto Approve can help! Contact us today to find out how much money you can save by refinancing your car loan.

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The Best Car Movies for Kids Who Love Wheels

It can be hard to find movies that are both suitable for kids and fun for adults, especially in the younger years when kids are super into cars, trucks, and wheels of all kinds. This list contains some of the top-rated kid-friendly car movies, whether you’re setting them up for a watch from the road, preparing for a road trip, or just planning a fun family movie night.Here are some of the best kid-friendly movies featuring vehicles and characters with wheels.Kids Movies with Cars and WheelsWe’ve included information about content suitability here, but it’s ultimately up to you to know what’s right for your child and your household rules, of course!1. Cars SeriesCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 5+ (up to 8+ depending on the film)Starting this list off with a bang, Pixar’s Cars and all its various sequels and spin-offs are probably the number one choice for parents and car-obsessed kids. There’s tons of content in the series, and all of it has the Disney-Pixar stamp of approval, meaning you know you’re getting good family fun.The series includes Cars, Cars 2, Cars 3, several TV series and short films, and the spin-offs Planes and Planes: Fire & Rescue. Cars (the original) has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score and Planes has the lowest, so prepare yourself accordingly.2. Herbie MoviesCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 7+Another well-known car-centric family friendly series, The Love Bug, its Herbie sequels, and the 2005 remake Herbie: Fully Loaded are widely accepted as car-centric kid-friendly classics. While older movies can sometimes come with discussion points about content, The Love Bug remains good family fun with little that hasn’t aged well – and Herbie: Fully Loaded might be better than some remember (or at least will keep the kids entertained).3. TurboCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 6+This animated movie about a speed-loving snail played by Ryan Reynolds may have slipped past the radar for adults without kids in 2013, but it’s a delightful little racing movie about a snail with a dream. While there are technically no cars featured in this movie – the snails themselves are the racers – it’s still a solid pick for kids that love all things vehicles as the gastropods hit the pavement. And the star studded cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Maya Rudolph, Paul Giamatti, and Bill Hader, makes it fun for grown-ups too!4. It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 8+This beloved 1960s road race classic is a barrel of laughs for kids of all ages – and happens to feature tons of different vehicles, car chase scenes, and slapstick antics on the road. This movie skews a little older – its run time is almost 3 hours and there’s a character who drinks profusely – but things are kept light and broad. With memorable performances from Spencer Tracy, Jimmy Durante, Ethel Merman, and Mickey Rooney, it’s an old-school movie but well worth a watch.5. Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the FurryCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 5+If you haven’t thought about Tom and Jerry since you were a kid yourself, you wouldn’t be alone, but the classic cartoon is still releasing new films at a steady pace. The Fast and the Furry, a 75-minute long movie from 2005, is considered among the best, and follows Tom and Jerry racing around the world in hopes of winning a new home after accidentally wrecking their old house. Tom and Jerry fans and skeptics alike are apt to enjoy this short, zany, G-rated race movie.Kids can be expensive!If you want more money in your pocket for the things that matter most, consider refinancing your vehicle with Auto Approve. If you got your financing from a dealer, you’re likely paying a higher rate than you need to be. Auto Approve can help lower your monthly payment in just a few minutes.Get a free quote to see how much you could save.6. Rally Road RacersCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 6+A rookie race car driver, a slow loris named Zhi played by Jimmy O. Yang, tries to save his family’s home by betting he can beat a rally racing champion in this fast-paced animated movie. He trains with friends and gets help from a veteran racer (played by J. K. Simmons), and in the process sees more of the world. While Rally Road Racers will likely appeal more to kids than adults, with John Cleese as Zhi’s nemesis, there’s enough to keep parents entertained.7. The Great RaceCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 6+Like It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Great Race is a slapstick comedy from the 1960s, this one featuring a suave hero – helped along by Natalie Wood, playing a suffragette in a top-notch performance – racing a dastardly professor (Jack Lemmon, with Peter Falk as his bumbling assistant) from New York to Paris. Is it a little dated? Sure. But it’s still a family fun film built around a car chase, and a nice break from all animation all the time!Special MentionsWhile those are the top movies for car kids, there are a few more movies with prominent vehicles worth checking out!My Neighbor Totoro: For small kids who love buses, the cat bus in My Neighbor Totoro is a classicBob the Builder (series and movies): For small kids (3+) who love construction vehiclesThe Lego Movie: For slightly older kids (6+) who love construction vehiclesLooking for ideas for older kids? These movies all feature cars, trucks, driving, road trips, or car chases – and content that may be a bit more mature than some of the other options on this list. Speed Racer (8+)Back to the Future (10+)Transformers (11+)Smokey and the Bandit (13+)Talladega Nights (14+)Blues Brothers (16+)Those Are The Best Car Movies for KidsReady to drive off into the sunset with one of these picks? Whether the cars are racing, chasing, or falling in love (hello, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo), there should be an idea here that’ll fit any wheel fanatic kid.And if not and the kids are old enough that you’re looking for something you’ll love, why not check out this list of the best road trip movies?Refinancing means more money for entertainmentThere are plenty of good reasons to want more money in your pocket, whether that’s more discretionary income for fun stuff or a little wiggle room in a tight budget. The good news is, the odds are good that Auto Approve can help you lower your monthly auto loan payment, your rate, or both!Simply tell us a little bit about your vehicle and current loan – no commitment or credit check required to get started – and you’ll be matched with an Auto Approve representative who can help you find the best deal for you, then do the paperwork for you.Get your free quote now.

The 3 Best American Road Trips To Take This Year

Thinking about a road trip this year, but not sure which of the many amazing classic American road trips to take? You’re in the right place.While it’s hard to say that any one singular road trip is the best most beautiful roast trip to take – the United States has tons of interesting terrain, stunning vistas, and cultural landmarks from sea to shining sea – we’ve compiled three favorites that you can start planning right now.There are many more great options. Traveling Route 66 or visiting the Grand Canyon are evergreen classics. But these uniquely excellent drives were selected for weather, accessibility, and combination of natural wonders and modern conveniences. American Road Trips to Take In 2025What’s the best road trip to take for you? Only you can decide that, but it’ll depend on who you’re driving with (or if you’re flying solo!), where you’re starting your journey, and how long you want to spend in the day, per car and overall. Each of these road trips can be shortened or lengthened with fewer or more stops, and each has their pros and cons. And once you’ve picked one, check out our road trip planner.1. New England: Jamestown to Acadia National ParkIf you’re craving a seaside getaway, it doesn’t get much more iconic than a drive up the New England coastline. This is a great option for summer and fall road trips. During the summer, you get cooler temperatures than much of the US, sea breezes, lobster rolls, and beach days. During the fall, you get stunning fall colors, script temperatures, bonfires, and apple pie.This is a particularly great road trip for families and those not inclined to spend endless hours in the car, since the total driving time is fairly short and the stop options are plentiful, from bustling city life in Boston to the amazing restaurants of Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME, to the lighthouses, ocean views, and sprawling forests of coastal Maine and Acadia National Park. Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 6 hoursStop ideas: RI: Jamestown, Providence; MA: Cape Cod, Boston, Salem; NH: Portsmouth; ME: Ogunquit, Portland, Freeport, Augusta, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park You won’t want to make all these stops in a row, but if you’re driving round trip, you can always see the LL Bean boot in Freeport one way and make time for Salem’s witches (or lack thereof) on the way back.One word to the wise: This road trip won’t work in the winter due to the weather in the Northeast. Driving in winter conditions doesn’t make for a relaxing vacation!2. Smoky Mountains: Asheville to MemphisIf you’re interested in a road trip through classic Americana, a trip from North Carolina to Tennessee might be just the ticket. By stopping in Nashville and Memphis, you can see much of the heart of American music history, and the barbecue across the region is iconic. And the culture isn’t half of it – this drive takes you through the stunning Smoky Mountains and is widely considered one of the most beautiful road trips you can take.Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 8 hoursStop ideas: NC: Charlotte, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (crosses multiple states); TN: Johnson City, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Chattanooga, NashvilleA few of these are out the way from the others – stopping Charlotte would really mean starting or ending in Charlotte, and Johnson City’s out of the way, but a fine place to stop if you choose to focus on exploring the Smoky Mountains.This trip is going to have the hottest weather of the options on this list in the summer, but nothing compared to what you might experience in Zion or Big Bend. The Smoky Mountains and Asheville stay pretty cool, but by the time you get to Memphis, depending on the time of year, it can get into the 90s Fahrenheit. The good news is, all these places stay relatively temperate through the winter, so there’s no bad time of year to visit.Be prepared: Cell service is weak or non-existent in some parts of the Smoky Mountains, so you’ll want to make sure you have a paper map and a well-stocked car emergency kit, just in case.3. Pacific Northwest Meets Big Sky Country: Seattle to YellowstoneWhen it comes to iconic American experiences, Yellowstone National Park is high on the list. But to get the full flavor of the Pacific Northwest and Big Sky Country, start or end the drive in Seattle. Taking time to stop in Washington’s wine country and see Puget Sound adds another incredible set of sights and experiences, and Seattle makes a great jumping off point to visit any one of Olympic, Mount Rainier, or North Cascades National Park. From there, you’re diving into the heartland, whether you want to head up to Glacier National Park, down to Grand Teton, or straight to Yellowstone.Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 11.5 hoursStop ideas: WA: Seattle, Puget Sound, Washington Wineries, Spokane; MT: Glacier National Park, Butte Historic District, Bozeman, Big Sky; ID: Boise; WY: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park:This is clearly the most time-consuming, robust road trip of the three. If you’re looking for a big trip, this is the one. Yes, it’s a commitment, but worth it for the stunning views and once in a lifetime experiences. Just remember, when you’re spending a lot of time in National Parks, you want to make sure you plan your road trip meticulously. Gas stations and places to stay the night can be few and far between, and some things may book up months in advance.Don’t have a ton of time but want to see Big Sky Country? You can also fly into Yellowstone Airport (WYS) and land just two miles from Yellowstone National Park.Which of These 3 Beautiful Road Trips In The United States Sings to You?There’s no wrong choice – you want to choose something that fits the amount of time you have, your budget, and your interests.Want to spend more on your dream road trip and less on your monthly car payment?Most people are paying more than they need to on their auto loan, thanks to dealership rate markups! AutoApprove can help you find a better rate in just a few clicks. Tell us a bit about your vehicle – no commitment required – to find out how much you could potentially save through refinancing. An AutoApprove representative will help you find the deal that’s right for you, and once you’ve selected your refinance, we do the paperwork for you, easy as that!That means more money in your pocket for the things that matter most – whether that’s a soul-searching solo trip or an unforgettable family vacation.Get your free quote now.

Useful Skills You Can Learn While Driving

Have you ever considered learning while you drive? Whether you want to make better use of a daily commute or are heading out on a long solo drive, if you want to learn a skill from behind the wheel, we have some ideas for you!The key to learning on the road is to choose something you can do with just audio media – and to make sure nothing you do is so engrossing that you lose focus. It’s important that you still drive safely, no matter what. Essentially, we recommend skills you can learn from an audiobook or podcast and repetitive activities that allow you to build up your knowledge or talents over time.Let’s take a look.Things You Can Learn While DrivingThe average American driver spends, according to a AAA survey, just over an hour in their car every single day. Why not find ways to be productive with all that time? Here are some things you can pick up while you drive.1. Learn a LanguageThis is probably the most popular skill to tackle in the car. Whether you’re brushing up on a language you learned in high school, preparing for a trip, trying to improve your chances at a new job, or learning just to stay sharp, there are tons of good reasons to learn a language while you drive. And, yes, while you’ll also need to supplement with written lessons, you can work on your listening and speaking skills in the car.Depending on which language you want to learn and your level, you’ll need different resources, but here are a few ideas for ways to get started:Starting from 0: Listen to podcasts that teach you the basics (for example, Pimsleur and LanguagePod101 both have podcast-based language lessons)For skill building: Listen to programs designed for language learners (for example, News in Slow is designed for people currently learning at a beginner to intermediate level to practice listening comprehension) For advanced learners: Grow your vocabulary and get closer to fluency by listening to music or news in your target language and trying to capture any unfamiliar words, phrases, or ideas2. Listen to the Sounds of NatureIf you’re interested in the natural world, you could use the time to learn things like the calls of birds local to your area. Avid birders in particular might find this interesting – and there are many resources for birders, since it’s such a popular hobby (BirdNote Daily is a good option) – but resources exist for frog fans and other animal lovers as well, dependent on your region. And there’s no reason you need to stick to your own backyard! Noisy by Nature is a kid-focused podcast that introduces the sounds of Australian wildlife (and is, frankly, fascinating for all ages).As an added bonus, nature sounds can also be relaxing, which is helpful when you’re stuck in traffic in a 20 minute slowdown.3. Write Better EmailsWhether you’re an English learner, a complete word nerd, or someone who struggled with writing in school and wants to up their email game, there are tons of great podcasts about English grammar, word usage, and how people speak. A few top recommendations include: Grammar GirlThe AllusionistVocal FriesYou’re Saying It WrongWebster's Word of the DayExpanding your vocabulary, mastering complex grammar rules, getting into the nitty-gritty of style, and discovering common malapropisms and mistakes can make you a better writer, reader, and conversationalist.4. Level Up Your Financial LiteracyThere are tons of great personal finance podcasts being made right now. If you’ve never spent much time thinking about budgeting, saving, or your own attitudes toward money, learning about the basics of finance while you drive could be a huge help!Planet Money, which covers current events in the world of money and investment, is a fascinating and informative podcast, while So Money, Money For the Rest of Us, and Afford Anything are a few of the many long-running hits in the finance space. Read reviews and find a podcast that fits your taste – and just remember, no podcast gives specific advice, so ask a professional before making big money moves!Trying to be smarter with money?You don’t need to learn any new skills to refinance your vehicle and start saving money. Most people are paying more than they need to be on their auto loan. A refinance can help you secure a lower rate and pay less. Plus, it’s easy! AutoApprove can help you find the right deal for your unique situation – and do the paperwork for you.Get a free, no-commitment quote to see how much you could save.5. Practice Using Your VoiceWhether you’re a nervous public speaker or thinking about getting into amateur opera, the car is the perfect place to get vocal reps in. There are tons of voice teachers making content online – you could find a vocal warm-up to try while you drive, or look up exercises in advance and put them into practice when the car door is closed.Whether you rehearse a presentation or sales pitch, practice improvising speeches, or sing do-re-mi, the car is a rare place where you can let yourself be as noisy as you want, take advantage of it!6. Build Your Understanding of MathRegardless of your current level of math expertise, you can skill build while in the car. Some people work on basic skills like solving simple number problems, memorizing multiplication tables, or learning more of the digits of pi. Or, if you prefer to simply listen, there are many engaging math listens that can make you fall in love with math. A few top podcast options include: The Joy of XBreaking MathMy Favorite TheoremOpinionated History of MathematicsLeveling up your understanding of math can help you see the world in a new light! And hey, maybe you can impress your friends with your new intel.7. Learn About the WorldLast but certainly not least, there are so many great educational podcasts about all manner of things, from history to economics to niche scientific fields. Taking the time to simply learn broadly about different topics that interest you wherever you can is a very productive way to spend your time in the car. Some of the best options happen to overlap with our recommended podcasts for long drives, like Ologies, 99% Invisible, The Happiness Lab, and Revolutions. But the thing that interests you most when you set out on the road is always the best option, whatever that may be – even if it’s something silly like the workings of ‘90s cars or learning to understand Morse code. Whatever you choose, expanding your worldview and learning something new is always a good choice!And Those Are Seven Useful Ways To Spend Your Driving TimeMost of us spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel, trying to make something of that time is an admirable pursuit! From language learning to amateur opera performance, there’s always something interesting to do to pass the time and challenge your mind.But refinancing your vehicle doesn’t take any time at all.You could be paying less monthly on your auto loan, putting more cash back in your pocket for the things that matter most. Find out how much you could save with just a few clicks and no commitment. Get your free quote now.

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Trade-In Value, Retail Value, and Charitable Value: What’s the Difference?