Worth it to return aftermarket stereo to stock before trade-in?
Posted by heywaj10@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 20 comments
Have a 2012 Ford F150 XLT that, with 163,000 miles on it, have a current market trade-in value of $5000-$7000 given the condition (good). When I first bought it used 10 years ago, I installed an aftermarket stereo system. The current value of the equipment is probably in the $500 range, so it's not really that consequential to me. That being said, would it be worth it from a trade-in value to do everything I can to return it back to stock? Or would it not really matter when considering the curent market trade-in value either way?
H0SS_AGAINST@reddit
Unlikely to diminish the trade in value.
Fair market value for the equipment is irrelevant if you plan to reuse the equipment. At that point you're looking at cost to replace unless you like dealing with sketchy people on Facebook marketplace.
I've always uninstalled my stereo equipment if I still had the OEM stuff. Notably, I have a bunch of unused stereo equipment in my garage but one day someone's radio is going to die and I'll be there with a CD player with a 7band EQ plus a 4 channel amp, a mono block, some subwoofers, component speakers, and crossovers.
gotcha640@reddit
I wouldn’t expect any impact on what you get for it, but it’s also not likely worth $500 unless it’s a very advanced or vintage unit. Most cars with more integrated screens and stereos get amp and filter and crossover and speaker upgrades and leave the headunit.
Direct_Run_3513@reddit
Won’t add. Won’t subtract. As long as it plays “something” thru the speakers.
I’d toss the stock one in the trunk for the next owner.
Pull subs/amp if it’s easy. 10 year old equipments not worth the hassle usually.
JustaYnLivin@reddit
At the dealer the aftermarket stereo adds no value at all
heywaj10@reddit (OP)
Right - I completely understand that. I'm asking more on the flip side of the coin: does keeping the aftermarket stereo in the truck diminish the trade-in value more than if it were stock?
Gizmosragingerection@reddit
On a 14 year old vehicle, no. All that matters is a working radio
Historical-Bite-8606@reddit
They're giving you wholesale pricing on your truck. If you leave it or remove it, it should change the price. Personally, 10-year old HU is worth very little, to nothing, as it doesn't have many of the newer features, such as CarPlay, Android Auto.
traffic626@reddit
Id just swap the original head unit back in so it looks original
wrxtasy846@reddit
Stock is best for trade in. Anything visibly aftermarket typically reduces the vehicle desirability. Personally, I believe aftermarket items imply the vehicle has been messed with. If there was a problem with the oem stereo, an aftermarket stereo usually costs much less then it would be to buy a new OEM stereo. Plus, aftermarket stereos are very much a personal choice on their features and designs ect. I was a stereo installer for over 10 years. A vehicle’s overall condition could usually be determined from afar by how many aftermarket parts it currently had installed.
alabamaterp@reddit
I think it would be worth it to install the stock radio. With aftermarket radios you don't know the quality of the install and you can't see the wiring for inspection. Was it done by a pro shop or by a guy in his garage 12 beers deep? It's just something that's always in the back of my mind.
jonnyt88@reddit
If you are trading the truck in, swap the factory unit back and sell the aftermarket on marketplace.
If selling, things like Android Auto / Carplay / Bluetooth music + hands free calling will go a long ways for selling a car privately.
SprinklesDouble8304@reddit
If it's possible, put the stock head unit back, but don't bother with the speakers.
K-Rimes@reddit
I don't think the aftermarket stereo will effect your trade in price much, you're usually taking a bath on the trade in so who cares about a hundred bucks less over an aftermarket stereo. I'd tell the dealer you have the stock stereo system and it's in a box in the back of the truck if they want to swap it out and be done with it. Hours of my time count for something, and I'd not be fudging around with this.
No_Educator_6376@reddit
In my opinion having an upgrade is something that you brag about when you are selling something.
AlaskaGreenTDI@reddit
Do you have something else to install this system in or are you going to have to advertise and hope to get the $500 value that you put on it?
heywaj10@reddit (OP)
I'm confident the headunit, subwoofer, and amplifier would sell fine - even if only $3-400 in total together. The speakers are too obscure of a brand for those to sell, but I can't run those off the factory headunit without significant re-wiring, the way they are currently installed. I consider the speakers a loss.
Swamp_Hawk_420@reddit
Aftermarket stuff never helps with trade-in value, if you were doing a private sale it might help it move a little faster but generally won't add any value there either. You just need to decide if that $500 is worth your time to put everything back.
carpediemracing@reddit
I had one car where I'd upgraded the speakers and the head unit.
The dealer asked if I had the original head unit. I did. They asked for it, swapped it out, and called me to give me my aftermarket head unit back.
The dealer prefers factory, if it's working.
The speakers, they were nicer but not worth the time/effort to remove.
RedditBeginAgain@reddit
Do you have the original unit on a shelf and enough skill to swap it in less than an hour? If so probably. Its a minor plus but isn't worth going on ebay to buy a replacement
heywaj10@reddit (OP)
I do have all the stock/factory headunit and speakers in my possession - though would take more than a couple hours to replace back to stock, mostly due to door complexity and patching up some spots.