A car dealer has shared a story that sounds almost too wild to believe: a customer wanted to trade in a beat-up, wrecked car for a brand-new model—and somehow pulled it off. Vercetti Jay (@vercetti.jay) posted the clip with a text overlay that reads, “You can’t make this [expletive] up.” In the video, he recounts the exchange in disbelief. As of Thursday, the video had garnered over 180,900 views. What Happened at the Toyota Dealership? Jay says a man came into the dealership hoping to buy a 2025 Toyota Corolla and trade in his old one. When Jay stepped outside to take a look at the trade-in, he was stunned. The car’s entire front end was wrecked—bumper missing, frame visibly damaged—as if it had just been in a crash. “He drove this [expletive] from the [expletive] body shop here,” Jay says in the clip. “And we took it. And guess what? He’s getting a brand new ’25 Corolla.” Even Jay sounds like he couldn’t believe the dealership accepted the trade. But according to him, the deal went through—and the customer drove off in a brand-new car. Gallery: Toyota Corolla Cross (2025), the road test Can You Trade In A Damaged Car? While you can technically trade in a car that’s been in an accident, don’t expect to get top dollar for it. Dealers will usually accept it—damage and all—but the offer will decrease based on the severity of the damage and whether the car has a history of major repairs. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. Keep in mind, though: Cars declared a total loss by insurance and with a salvage title are harder to sell. Some dealerships might still take them, but the offer will be very low. Meanwhile, visible damage—like a dented bumper, a cracked frame, or ongoing mechanical issues—reduces the value, since the dealer has to pay for repairs or auction it. Even so, that trade-in credit can still lower the price of a new vehicle. If you want to trade in a damaged vehicle, having proper documentation helps. For example, if you’ve had repairs done by a reputable shop and have receipts to prove it, that can make a difference. It’s also smart to fix the most obvious issues first—anything that significantly affects safety or appearance. You can also get a pre-trade inspection from a mechanic to avoid surprises when the dealer checks it out. Keep your repair records ready and get multiple quotes, since different dealerships will value your car differently. The sooner you trade it in, the better, because the car will only depreciate over time. A Stunning Trade In Corolla People who saw Jay’s TikTok couldn’t believe what they were hearing, with many joking that the customer must have driven the Corolla straight from a crash site to the dealership. “He drove it from the accident scene,” one person joked. Another chimed in, “Is that T for Totaled?” Some shared stories of their own surprising trade-ins. One woman recalled, “A dealership took my Nissan that needed a new transmission.” Another wrote, “I traded in my 20-year-old broken-down Mitsubishi and they gave me $500. Better than sitting in my driveway for another year while I figure out what to do with it. I also got my insurance company to tow it to the dealership for free, so hell yeah.” Others were stunned that Jay’s dealership accepted the car at all. “I always wondered if they’d take a car with a check engine,” one viewer said, while another exclaimed, “OMG! There’s still hope for my raggedy ash car!” But not everyone found it that shocking. Some pointed out that Toyotas have a reputation for durability and resale value, making even a wrecked one worth something. “Y’all gonna give them $500 and sell it for more than that,” one person said. Another added, “You fix that up and it’s gonna run forever. My Camry ran until the engine fell out.” A third agreed, “Toyotas just hold value.” Motor1 has reached out to Jay via direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team