“Customers say that we are the liars.”
Many people think their car is worth more than it actually is. According to CarEdge data, 61% of surveyed drivers overestimated their vehicle’s value, believing it was worth at least $5,000 more than its trade value.
In reality, the moment you purchase a new vehicle and start driving it, its value decreases.
According to one TikTok creator and Nissan car salesman, @SalesByRollyVee, the difference between this belief and reality can be pretty steep.
In a recent video that has garnered more than 6,400 views, the salesman shares his thoughts as a Nissan passes through his dealership and he appraises it.
“POV: Customer is straight up lying to me,” he wrote in the video’s text overlay.
“I think this guy is messing with me,” the salesman says as he sits in the driver’s seat of what appears to be a Nissan Murano from 2015-2018.
“I’m appraising his car, right? Had a hard time even starting the car, and he has 242,000 miles on it. Check engine light on,” he says.
According to him, the asking price is way beyond what the vehicle is worth. “And this guy told me that he went to a Chevy store, mind you, it’s a Nissan, and that they’re offering him $18,500.”
He asked for the viewers’ opinion. “Those of you who are in the business, what do you guys think?” he asks. “Man, this is a $500 car to me… I think he’s trying to bamboozle me.”
Without the exact trim, condition, location, and history, it’s impossible to know the Murano’s exact trade-in value. However, if the car is a 2015-2018 Nissan Murano with 242,000 miles, a check engine light, and issues starting, an offer of $18,500 would be unusually high.
For comparison, Edmunds estimates that 2016 Nissan Murano trade-in values generally range from $4,315 to $14,217, based on condition, mileage, and trim.
Kelley Blue Book also lists the average 2016 Murano trade-in value at around $5,725. Meanwhile, CarMax says recent offers for a 2016 Murano have ranged from $4,200 to $11,200.
It’s important to remember that those estimates are for vehicles in varying conditions, and many examples have far fewer miles than the one @SalesByRollyVee was appraising.
While the value may realistically be on the lower end, it’s unlikely that it’s quite as low as $500, as the salesman suggested.
In the comments section, some viewers shared their experience trading in similar models, and others weighed in on the asking price.
“I sold my 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum with 156k miles for $3,500 to CarMax last year,” one user said.
“Dealerships can buy any make/model even if it doesn’t match brand,” another wrote. “Anything above 200k miles is either an auction car or trash so 1k-1.5k most.”
“Fair price, if there is $17,000 in the truck,” joked a third.
“Now you know how we feel when dealers lie to us…” a fourth commenter retorted.
If you’re planning to trade in your car, there are some tips you should consider.
The first step is knowing what it’s worth before you walk into the dealerships. Appraisal tools online, like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds, can give you a rough idea for free, which gives you an edge when you’re dealing with car salesmen.
Before bringing your car in, make sure it’s in the best possible condition. Clean it, remove personal items, perform minor fixes, and you’ll see how big a difference that makes.
Finally, make sure to get multiple offers. While one dealership may offer you less because it accounts for reconditioning, resale risk, and profit, another dealer may be more flexible and willing.
Motor1 has reached out to the creator via direct messages on TikTok and Instagram for comment. We’ll update this article if we hear back.
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– The Motor1.com Team