Trade-In Equity & Negative Equity Calculator

Trade-in equity calculator

See where your current loan leaves you, then compare two ways to handle a shortfall when buying your next car.

Your numbers

The starting values are an example. Replace them with your own.

Trade-in offer ($)Use a written offer or your own estimate.Current loan payoff ($)Use the lender’s payoff for your planned date.Replacement vehicle price ($)Before the separate costs below.Net taxes, fees, and other costs ($)Enter the quoted total after any applicable tax credit.Down payment toward replacement ($)Excludes any separate payment of the old-loan shortfall.Illustrative annual interest rate (%)Use a fixed rate; fees are entered separately.Loan term (months)Whole months, from 1 to 120.

Old-loan shortfall$3,500.00

Trade offer minus loan payoff.

Pay the shortfall separately

The gap is paid in addition to your replacement down payment.

Cash contribution: $5,500.00
Estimated amount financed: $25,000.00
Estimated monthly payment: $506.91
Estimated total interest: $5,414.59
Total loan payments: $30,414.59

Include the shortfall in financing

Only if a lender approves. This is not an available loan offer.

Cash contribution: $2,000.00
Estimated amount financed: $28,500.00
Estimated monthly payment: $577.88
Estimated total interest: $6,172.63
Total loan payments: $34,672.63

Your entries stay in this page and are not sent to CarTruvo. Refreshing resets them. The downloaded file contains the amounts you entered.

How the calculation works

Equity is your trade-in offer minus your loan payoff. A negative result is a shortfall. The replacement financing estimate adds the vehicle price and entered costs, subtracts positive equity and your down payment, and adds a shortfall only in the financing scenario.

Payments assume a fixed annual interest rate with equal monthly payments. Actual lender APR disclosures, fees, payment dates, daily interest, and rounding can produce different figures. Enter quoted net taxes and fees yourself: this tool does not calculate state tax credits. Insurance, maintenance, future depreciation, and unentered costs are excluded.

What to verify before using the results

Get a dated payoff directly from your lender.
Separate the trade offer from the replacement price.
Get written taxes, fees, financing terms, and any cash due.
Confirm how your old loan will be settled and follow up with the lender.

Read the CFPB guidance on trading a financed car and our complete financed trade-in guide.

Can this tell me what my car is worth?

No. You supply the trade value. This is a comparison tool, not a valuation service, financing application, or purchase offer.

Submit your car for review or tell us what you want to buy. Any potential transaction requires separately agreed terms.