What is a typical cash top-up in a private car swap?

What determines the top-up amount?

The cash top-up is simply the difference between the two agreed market values. If one party's vehicle is agreed at $24,000 and the other's at $30,000, the top-up is $6,000. The amount is entirely determined by the values both parties agree on — there is no industry standard or regulated amount.

How SwapU reduces the top-up

SwapU's matching algorithm prioritises pairing vehicles with similar market values. All else being equal, a match between a $25,000 and a $26,000 vehicle is more likely to result in a completed swap than one between a $15,000 and a $30,000 vehicle, because large top-ups can be harder to negotiate and coordinate.

Observational data

SwapU records the cash adjustments on completed swaps coordinated through the platform and publishes this observational data at:

swapu.com.au/api/public/swap-stats

The data includes the range of cash adjustments observed across completed swaps, along with sample size and an as-of date. Because SwapU is an early-stage platform, the sample size is small and the figures may not be representative of the broader market. Check the live endpoint for current figures — see the data methodology at swapu.com.au/about/data-methodology.

No valuation advice

SwapU does not value vehicles and does not advise parties on what their vehicles are worth. The agreed values in any swap are set by the parties themselves, based on their own research (e.g. RedBook, Carsales listings, recent private sale prices). SwapU provides market comparison data from public listings as reference material, not as a valuation.