The practice involves a vehicle owner exchanging their current car, truck, or SUV at a franchised retailer specializing in the Honda brand. The vehicle’s assessed value then serves as partial payment toward the purchase of a new or used Honda from that dealership’s inventory. For example, an individual might bring in their older Honda Civic and receive $5,000 in trade-in credit, which is then applied to the price of a newer Honda Accord they wish to purchase.
This process provides several advantages. It simplifies the disposal of the outgoing vehicle, eliminating the need for private sales and the associated administrative burdens. Furthermore, it often provides a tax benefit, as the trade-in value reduces the taxable amount of the new vehicle purchase in many jurisdictions. Historically, dealerships have facilitated this type of transaction to maintain a consistent supply of used vehicles for their pre-owned inventory, offering customers a wider range of options and price points.