Cars for exchange

Car exchange: how to swap yours for another with a fair top-up

Updated 20 October 2026

How a car exchange works

An exchange is handy when you do not want to sell your old car separately: valuation, buyers, haggling. You agree with a seller that your car goes in part payment and you pay the difference. Sometimes the top-up goes the other way, if you want a simpler and cheaper car. The main question is how much they credit for your car.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe both cars: the one you give and the one you want. Owners and dealers reply in chat with options, how much to top up and whether an inspection is needed. They see their place among the others and can improve their terms. Your phone number is shown only to the one you choose.

What to say about your car

The more honest and detailed you are, the more accurate the offer. Write the model, year, kilometres driven, condition of the body and interior, servicing and whether the papers are complete. Add a photo. If there are defects, say so straight away: it saves time and reduces haggling at the inspection. Buyers and dealers value openness, and hidden problems come out during the check anyway.

What to put in your request

• Car to exchange — model, year, kilometres, condition, for example Hyundai Elantra 2015, 80,000 km.
• Car you want — class, body type, model, say a Toyota RAV4.
• Year of the wanted car — not older than a certain year.
• Top-up — how much you can pay on top.
• Engine — petrol, hybrid, diesel.
• Gearbox — automatic or manual.
• Condition of the wanted car — no accident history, no repairs needed.
• City — where it is convenient to inspect.

Example: “I want to exchange my Hyundai Elantra 2015, 80,000 km, with service records, for a Toyota RAV4 from 2017, diesel, automatic, no accident history. I can top up to R 78,000. Gqeberha.”

What the top-up depends on

The top-up depends on the price difference, the year, the kilometres and the trim, as well as on how easy your car is to resell. Popular models with a clear history are valued higher. A dealer may value your car below the market, so compare several offers.

How to compare offers

Compare not only the top-up but also the value of the car you receive. Two offers with the same top-up can be of different quality. Ask what amount your car is credited at and whether it depends on the diagnostic check. Find out who pays for the paperwork and whether there will be a written agreement. If the exchange turns out to be a poor deal, you can simply buy: look at used cars or hybrid cars.

The inspection is the most important stage. Agree on a check at a neutral garage, verify the chassis number and the papers of both sides, and look for any restrictions on transfer. Do not hand over the car or money before the paperwork is finished. If something does not match the description, it is better to walk away from the exchange than to accept a “discount on the spot”.

Common mistakes

Overvaluing your own car and then taking offence at the haggling. Not checking the car you want as carefully as in an ordinary purchase. Paying the top-up before the papers are checked. Not putting the terms in writing. To see how the service works, visit the “How it works” page.