Easy alternative to trade in cars Wellington

Trade in my car? We’ve got an even better option

A car trade-in in NZ seems like the easiest option, right? You go to the yard, hand over your keys and walk out with something new and shiny, albeit with a little less cash in your wallet. It’s so straightforward that you don’t mind that you aren’t getting the best car trade in value in NZ. Well we’ve got a simple alternative that still gives bang for your buck, without the headache of a private sale.

Sell my car Watch our explainer video

How car trade ins work in NZ

When you trade in your car at a dealership, the dealer is doing two things at once:

  1. Selling you a car (with as much profit as possible)

  2. Buying your car at the same time (with as much profit as possible)

The trade in price they offer you isn’t just factoring in your car’s value, it also considers:

  • Dealer margins

  • Reconditioning costs

  • How quickly they think they can resell it

  • How much flexibility they need on the deal overall

The result? Your car trade in value in NZ is often lower than what you car could realistically sell for on the private market. It’s fast, yes. But rarely is it the option that gets you the best deal.

A person’s hand holding a set of car keys with a red keyring in front of a blurred blue car.

The problem with trade ins

Trade in my car? Easy. Or not. It’s sold as simple, but many people don’t realise:

  • Your trade in value is used to discount the car you’re buying

  • The true value of your car is hard to see or compare

  • You’re negotiating two deals at once, which usually favours the dealer

A better alternative to car trade-ins in NZ

This is where AutoFlip comes in. We’re not a dealership, we don’t do the traditional trade-in. Instead we help you sell independently to our network of dealers, using the power of competition to get you the best offer on your car.

Trade in at a Dealership

Sell with AutoFlip

Quick, but reliant on buying another car

Fast like a trade-in, and you don’t have to purchase another vehicle right away

Typically just one offer from a dealer, unless you shop around

Our verified network of dealers compete to make the best offer

Offers are often lower than market value

Competitive bidding helps get you the best price

Requires negotiating at the dealership

No negotiating required, we’ll manage the process (and the paperwork) for you

Time spent visiting yards for quotes

Everything happens online, you can sell your car from your couch

Limited insight into how your offer was decided

Full visibility over every offer so you can choose what works for you

How it works

Cartoon woman in a green shirt logging in on a phone.
1

Tell us about your car

Enter your rego and vehicle details online, then upload a few clear photos.

Cartoon man with white skin in a green shirt with a tablet than has a car on it.
2

Receive genuine offers

Verified dealers throughout NZ review your car and submit their best offers.

Cartoon woman with brown skin in a green shirt on a phone with a speech box saying "Exciting News".
3

Choose your top offer

Choose the best offer and we’ll sort out the rest

What customers say about choosing AutoFlip instead of a car trade in NZ

Real reviews from people who chose AutoFlip as a better alternative.

State Map

Sell from anywhere in NZ, to buyers nationwide


AutoFlip works nationwide. You can sell you car from anywhere in New Zealand, and we connect it with dealers across the country.

Explore our location guides below:

FAQs

Get the best value for your car and list today - it’s free to get started.

A trade-in can be quick, but it rarely offers the strongest return.

If maximising your car trade in value in NZ matters, selling your car through AutoFlip is the best choice. We make the process clear, fair and easy. 

List your car today – it’s free to get started, and you only pay a small success fee once you accept an offer.

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List your car today, it's free to get started

Frequently Asked Questions