Model Confusion - 2011 Avensis Tr V-Matic (T27)

[obder]

hi - my wife recently rescued a 7 month old husky pup - we have 3.

unfortunately last week he completely trashed the rear seat of her car - a 2011 (may) 1.8 TR V-Matic saloon.

she approached a dealer to "trade-in" against an avensis estate (now urgently required) but he said her car was not the newer model & instead was a 2010 "older model" registered in may 2011 - he said the front grill is different & because of this offered 5k.

the car is in excellent condition (with new seat of course) & has 19k on the clock.

any info on the model issue would be greatly appreciated.

[FROSTYBALLS]

I'd try another dealer, and perhaps attend with your wife as well.

Have you tried one of the vehicle valuation sites - Glass's, CAP or Parkers - to get an idea of the car's value as a part exchange?

[obder]

thanks for your reply - my wife is a pretty tough cookie & attendance with her would be by invitation only :-)

i've done some research since my post regarding the "older model issue".

apparently the new model/facelift was only introduced at the sept 2011 frankfurt motor show so the dealer was either ignorant or just "trying it on".

perhaps someone could confirm the above before my wife returns to kick the dealers butt.

[Heidfirst]

My car is one of the first facelifts - they started building them for launch stock in Autumn 2011 but they didn't arrive to dealers until December & iirc officially delivered to customers in January 2012.

The pre-facelift is worth less (& there is more to it than just a change in grille & lights). That is generally true of any car model when a new/facelift one comes out.

Try another dealer or 2, see what We Buy Any Car & similar will offer you (they'll tend to be at the low end). CAP puts it's value ~£6500 but I don't know how well that actually reflects real worth in the market.