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Ultimately, it depends on what you value more: speed or price. Trading in is fast but can pays less. Selling privately can pay more but takes real work. And for EV owners, there's a third option worth knowing about.
The case for trading in
Trade-ins are convenient. You drop off your old car and drive away in the new one, often the same day. In many states, you also pay sales tax only on the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in value, which can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The downside is that many dealerships still value EVs using tools built for gas cars, based mostly on age and mileage. Those tools ignore the single biggest factor in an EV's value: the battery. A dealer who doesn't understand battery health may make a lowball offer just to be safe. If you do trade in, bring proof of your battery's condition. One Recurrent driver, Eric, negotiated a higher trade-in value for his BMW i3 by sharing his battery report with the dealer.
The case for selling privately
Private sales usually bring a higher price because there's no middleman. But you take on the work: writing the listing, fielding messages, meeting strangers for test drives, and handling payment and title transfer safely.
Selling an EV privately adds one more wrinkle. Serious buyers will ask about battery health and real-world range, and "trust me, it's fine" won't close the deal. You'll want documentation, which is where a battery report becomes your best sales tool.
The third option: make EV dealers compete
Sell With Recurrent was built for exactly this decision. Instead of accepting one dealer's trade-in offer or spending weekends managing a private listing, you enter your VIN or license plate and receive offers from a nationwide network of dealers that specialize in EVs. These buyers understand battery health and value it accordingly.
The service is free, there's no obligation to sell, and most owners receive an offer within hours. If you accept, a transporter picks up the car and completes the transaction. Many sellers report offers thousands of dollars higher than their best local trade-in quote.
How to decide
Whichever route you choose, do two things first. Check current market prices in Recurrent's quarterly used EV market report so you know what a fair number looks like. Then document your battery health by connecting your car to Vehicle Insights, which is free and compares your EV's performance to thousands of similar vehicles.
If speed matters most and you're buying your next car from the same dealer, a trade-in with battery documentation in hand is a fine choice. If maximizing price matters most and you have the time, a private sale can work. And if you want competitive offers without the hassle, get an offer from Recurrent's network and compare it against your trade-in quote. You might be surprised by the difference. For more preparation tips, read our guide to selling your EV for more money.
