Trade-In Equity Calculator
Calculate your car's trade-in equity. Find out if you have positive equity (money toward your next car) or negative equity (upside-down on your loan).
Trade-In Equity Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is positive vs negative equity?
Positive equity means your car is worth more than you owe on the loan — you have money to put toward your next car. Negative equity (upside-down) means you owe more than the car is worth — you'll need to pay the difference or roll it into your new loan.
How do I find my car's trade-in value?
Use free online tools: Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or NADA Guides. Dealers may offer less than these estimates, so get multiple quotes.
Can I trade in a car with negative equity?
Yes, but it's not ideal. You'll either need to pay the difference in cash or roll the negative equity into your new car loan (which increases your new monthly payment and puts you upside-down again). It's better to wait until you have positive equity, if possible.
Does trading in a car reduce sales tax?
In most states, yes! You only pay sales tax on the difference between the new car price and your trade-in value. For example: new car is $35,000, trade-in is $18,000, you pay tax on $17,000. Some states (like California) do NOT offer this tax break — check your state's rules.