Is there anything you can do to increase the value of your car? If it’s time to sell and you want to get the most out of it, these tips are right for you.
Why do dealerships clean up cars and detail them before putting them on the lot? When it comes to used cars, this is a great way to ensure the vehicle looks as enticing as possible to attract buyers and get more out of them. If the car is covered in dirt, filled with trash, and has a filthy engine bay, most people won’t give that car a second look.
1. A Clean Car Offers More Value than a Dirty Ride
When a car is clean and shiny, it’s more inviting than one that’s covered in dirt and filled with garbage. The worst thing a potential customer can say to you is, “what’s that smell?” which makes you feel really bad about the car. It doesn’t cost much to have your car cleaned and detailed; put a little money in now and get a lot more out later.
2. A New Service Gives Your Customer a Fresh Start
Have you ever bought a pre-owned car and wondered when it was last serviced? Take your car to a reputable location and give it the full-service treatment. This will help to increase the value of your car and offer your customer a car that’s ready to go. They can easily map out the mileage to the next service time and enjoy the use of new items on the car. This shows your customer that you’re serious about selling the car and giving them something special to drive.
3. Tires Are a Big Deal and Improve Your Car
You might not want the added expense of a new set of tires when trying to sell a car, but it could be worth your time to put some new rubber on your vehicle. You can add the price of new tires to the price you charge for the vehicle and explain that the tires are new and won’t need to be replaced for many miles. This is something that your shopper will appreciate and make your car look much better to potential buyers.
4. Clean Paperwork Makes a Huge Difference
Do you have a clean original title or a salvage title for your vehicle? Is the car still legally registered and insured? Of these, the most important item is the title. If the new owner has to jump through hoops to get a title generated, they won’t want to buy the car. Make sure the paperwork is in order to increase the value of your car and allow your customer to avoid some headaches.
5. Remove the Items that Personalized the Car to You
The best way to sell a car is in its original condition. If you’ve modified your vehicle and want to sell it, try and return it to its original condition as much as you can. Most of the time, all you’ve got to do is remove some of the cosmetic upgrades that you put on the car that you love but potential buyers might not enjoy them very much. Returning the vehicle to its original condition makes it more appealing to potential shoppers.
6. Take Care of Those Minor Dings and Dents
If you want to keep your car looking great while you drive it, you’ll fix the minor dings and dents along the way. Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell the car before you fix these things. If you want to increase the value of your car, make sure it stays in good condition and looks right. This is important to ensure your vehicle stays in good repair and is much easier to sell when it’s time.
7. Check the Lights and Replace as Needed
Even though you’re selling a car that you’ve driven for many miles, the person buying the car is looking for it to be in like-new condition. When they turn on the headlights or the interior lights, what will they find? If the lights have gotten dim and old, consider replacing the bulbs to ensure the lighting looks great and shines brightly. The more you do to ensure the car is in like-new condition, the more you’re going to get out of the sale.
8. Make Sure You Give the New Owner the Spare Key
If you bought your car new, it most likely came with at least two keys and two key fobs. Over time, these items can sometimes be lost and need to be replaced. If this happens, you should buy a new key and fob to make sure you have spares when you sell your car. This item might not increase the value of your car very much, but it makes you look more professional and responsible if you can offer both sets of keys to the new owner.
9. The Service History of Your Car is a Big Deal
Can you show documentation of the service that’s been performed at the right times? If you have the service history of your car that shows you’ve been a responsible car owner, share that with the person willing to buy your car from you. This is important to someone looking to use your old car as a daily driver. Even if a couple of items are missing, a history that shows you’ve done a good job caring for the car will bring more money for you.
10. Understand the Value of the Car
Anyone who is willing to buy your old car will likely research the value of this vehicle online. If you’re asking for a lot more money than what the car is worth, you might not find much interest in your car. One of the best ways to increase the value of your car is to know what that figure is. This is where you temper your expectations of what you’ll get out of your car and how much it should bring when sold.
Use these tips to understand and increase the value of your car when it’s time to sell your old ride and buy something new.
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