How to Trade In a Car You Still Owe Money On

Before you decide to trade in your car, you need to know where you stand. That means figuring out whether you have positive equity or negative equity in your vehicle. Equity is the gap between your car’s value and the amount left on your loan. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Positive equity: Your car is worth more than what you still owe. Let’s say your loan payoff is $12,000, but your car’s trade-in value is $15,000. That extra $3,000 can be used toward your new car purchase.

• Negative equity: Your car is worth less than what you owe. For example, if your payoff is $15,000 but your car’s value is only $12,000, you’re “upside down” on the loan by $3,000. That means you still owe more than the car is worth — and trading it in could leave you with leftover debt.

How to check your equity

1. Find your payoff balance. Call your lender or check your online account to get the exact amount.

2. Estimate your car’s value. Use free tools like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) Guides.

3. Do the math. Subtract what you owe from the car’s value—that’s your equity.

Knowing this number upfront helps you decide what to do next, and it prevents unwanted surprises at the dealership.

Once you know the equity of your vehicle, the next step is figuring out how it affects your trade-in options. 

If You Have Positive Equity

This is the best-case scenario. The dealership will pay off your old loan and apply the extra value toward your new car.

But don’t assume the dealer handles everything perfectly. Always:

• Ask for written confirmation that your old loan has been paid in full.

• Call your lender a few weeks later to ensure the ledger is closed.

Skipping these steps could leave you on the hook for late payments if the dealership drags its feet. Protecting your credit is just as important as getting a fair trade-in value.

If You Have Negative Equity

Below are some options to consider.

Option 1: Pay the Difference in Cash

If the shortfall is small, the simplest move is to pay it off when you trade in. That way, your new loan starts clean.

Example: You owe $12,500, and the car’s value is $11,800. Paying the $700 gap upfront keeps you from rolling it into a new loan and paying interest on it for years.

Option 2: Roll It Into a New Loan

Dealers often push this, but it’s rarely the best choice. Rolling $3,000 of negative equity into a five-year loan adds hundreds in interest—and you’ll still start upside down.

It may be tempting if you need a car now, but a bigger loan makes it harder to build equity and easier to slip back into debt.

Option 3: Refinance Before You Trade In

Refinancing can help you lower your rate, reduce your monthly payment, and pay off your loan faster. See how much you could save with Caribou—it only takes a few minutes.

Option 4: Wait It Out 

Sometimes patience can pay off. Each payment lowers your balance, and the hope is that eventually you won’t be underwater on the vehicle.

Trading in isn’t the only way to move on from your car loan. Consider these alternatives:

Sell Privately

Selling your car directly to a buyer usually gets you more money than trading it in at a dealership. If you’re in negative equity, that higher sale price could shrink the gap you need to cover.

Consider selling your car on free platforms like OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist.

Get Debt Help Through Relief

If your loan payments feel overwhelming, Relief can help you explore debt management options. This can be especially useful if you’re also juggling other bills and need to free up cash.

Trading in a car when you still owe on it can hurt your credit if you’re not careful. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Get payoff confirmation. Make sure the dealership pays off your loan in full, and get it in writing.

• Watch loan terms. A 72- or 84-month loan might lower your monthly payment, but you’ll pay thousands more in interest.

• Check your credit. Review your credit report after the trade-in to confirm the old loan is closed

Making financial decisions is easier when you can see the numbers clearly. 

Try this quick check:

• Find your loan balance.

• Find your car’s trade-in value.

• Subtract one from the other.

If the result is positive, you have positive equity. If it’s negative, you’re upside down. Even a simple worksheet or calculator can make the math feel less overwhelming.

A Real-Life Win: Refinancing That Helped Build Equity Faster

One driver refinanced their car loan through Caribou and shortened the term from 56 months to 36. Their interest rate dropped from 7.95% to 4.74%, saving about $3,300 in interest. Even though their monthly payment increased a bit, they started building equity faster, which can help them avoid ending up upside down on their loan.

For customers looking to lower their car payment, Caribou customers save an average of about $151 a month when they refinance.*

Pro Tip: Refinancing first can save money and put you in a stronger position for your next trade-in.

Trade-In Checklist

Before you make a move, use this quick checklist to stay on track and avoid costly mistakes.

• Check your equity: Compare your loan balance to your car’s trade-in value.

• Decide your next step: Positive equity? Trade in with confidence. Negative equity? Weigh your options.

• Refinance if needed: Caribou may help lower your rate or monthly payment so you can pay off your loan faster.

• Get debt help: If payments feel overwhelming, Relief may ease the pressure.

• Protect your credit: Confirm your old loan is fully paid off after a trade-in.