Can You Trade in a PCP Car to Another Dealer?

Typical car finance contracts last 3-4 years, and a lot can change in that time. If that’s the case, chances are you might want an upgrade.

But, can you trade in a PCP car to another dealer before your old contract expires, and what can you do to make the most out of a new deal? 

Let’s find out.

Can You Trade In a PCP Car To Another Dealer Early?

Trading in a car on a PCP is an uncommon practice.

Most people wait until the contract term ends and then swap their car for another vehicle. But, if you don’t want to wait, your PCP finance contract may have enough flexibility to allow for a cost-effective upgrade.

How to Trade In a PCP Car?

To make a PCP trade-in and change car dealers early, you must pay a settlement fee to the original dealership.

One way to reduce the costs you might have to pay is to GAP insurance which can cover any penalty fees for ending your lease agreement early.

If the current car’s worth exceeds the cost of the settlement fee, you can deposit any value that’s left from the old car onto the new one to reduce monthly repayments. 

However, if the settlement fee costs more than the value of the old car, you’ll need to either pay off the outstanding debt or release equity on your car that you can add later on to your new agreement. 

The downside to this method is that your monthly payments will increase.

How To Get The Most Out Of a PCP Trade-In?

If you want to get the most out of your PCP trade-in, you’ll have to increase your equity on the financed car. 

Increasing your equity will make sure that the car is worth more than its GMFV (Guaranteed Minimum Future Value) – or how much the car would be worth at the end of the finance agreement, also known as a balloon payment – and you can use that excess to put towards a new car. 

Reduce your mileage

Dealers calculate the GMFV based on the mileage that you’re expected to rack up during your PCP agreement. The fewer miles you have, the bigger the difference between its actual value and its GMFV will be– which will leave you with more equity.

Have any damages sorted out

Some wear and tear is factored in the GMFV, but any damage to the car needs to be rectified because your dealer will charge you to cover the cost of the repairs when you return the car. 

If the car has suffered a lot of wear and tear, it might be worth less than the GMFV. This wouldn’t be an issue if you’re returning your car to the same dealer, but if you switch dealers, you might end up with negative equity on your new deal. 

Service history

The up-to-date service history is one way to potentially increase the value of a car. Deals always look into your service history to understand how well your car’s been maintained during your finance deal. Any gaps in your history can raise questions and decrease the car’s value.

Can I Still Trade In a PCP Car To Another Dealer With Negative Equity?

Negative equity means that your car’s value is lower than its GMFV. 

For example, if your car’s value is £8000, but your balloon payment is £9000, it means you’ll have negative equity of £1,000.

If you choose to stick with the original lender, this won’t affect your deal since providers take on the risk and pay off any costs resulting from a drop in the car’s market value.

But if you trade the car to another dealer, you’ll be expected to cover the cost, either as a lump sum or split it into monthly installments. Failing to pay off the remaining debt could increase your negative equity by the end of the new contract. 

If you’re short on money, you can consider getting a car loan with a guarantor.

Pros and Cons Of Trading a PCP Car Into a Different Dealer

Like every other deal, trading in a PCP car early to another dealer has its advantages and disadvantages.

Some of the advantages are:

• A new dealer sees the car at a higher value and gives you more equity.
• Your new dealer offers the model that you’re looking for. 
• You can compare different quotes and pick the dealer who gives your car the highest value.

Disadvantages include:

• You could end up with negative equity.
• If your car has a lower value than the settlement fee, you might be unable to find a willing dealer.
• You will have to be in contact with two dealers instead of one.

Bottom Line 

Can you trade in a PCP car to another dealer? Although it’s not common for people to trade in a PCP car to another dealer before the end of the contract, it can be a cost-effective option if the vehicle is in good condition. You will still have to pay a settlement fee for cutting your contract short, but there are things you can do to increase your equity, get a better value, and find an affordable deal.