You’ve decided the time is right to sell your car. But, do you know how to make sure you get the most from the deal? While you may not want or need to invest a ton of money in a vehicle you’re hoping to sell, keep in mind that potential buyers will be inspecting your car to see if it’s a good investment for them. The better condition your car is in when you’re ready to sell, the more likely you are to get the most bang for your buck. There are a few maintenance tasks you can take care of that may make it easier to sell your car.
Obviously,
it helps to make sure there is nothing glaringly wrong with your car if you
want to get the maximum value from selling it. If a windshield or window is
cracked, consider replacing it – your insurance may cover this anyway. If there
are scratches to the paint or rust spots, it
might be worth it to have them touched up by a
local auto body shop that can match the paint exactly.
If your car has suffered dents from a hailstorm or an accident,
those could potentially be fixed through a process called paintless dent repair, which
is generally more affordable than a dent repair requiring paint.
And if there’s major damage – the bumpers, for example – consider getting those repaired, especially if your insurance will cover it. You might be surprised which delicate electrical systems can be damaged by even a minor fender bender. Here are a few signs of hidden damage to watch out for.
Before you start showing your car off to potential buyers, replacing and replenishing certain items on your vehicle may make it easier to sell. One simple thing you can do is replace or replenish any fluids, such as the oil, radiator, brake fluid, transmission fluid and windshield wiper fluid. If you notice your windshield wipers are worn or a bulb on head or taillight has burnt out, now is the time to replace them as well. Aside from being a courtesy to the future owner, these tasks can demonstrate that your vehicle has been well cared for and boost confidence with the potential buyer, whether it’s an individual or a dealership.
A clean car will be more likely to make the sale. Start by clearing out any trash and personal belongings – don’t forget check the glove box! – but you should also consider taking it a step beyond that.
Paying for your car to be professionally detailed could truly pay off in the end, especially if your car’s interior has any stains or odors. Depending on the age and state of the vehicle, your local auto body shop may be able to restore the interior of your vehicle to like-new condition.
But if you’re going to clean your car yourself, be sure to vacuum any seats and carpeting, get into every crevice to remove dirt and crumbs, and clean the glass on the inside of the car, as well as the center console. If you’re trying to freshen the odor inside your car, follow these tips. Finally, take your car through the car wash and perhaps even splurge on a wax; it’ll give your car that extra sparkle that’s so appealing when car shopping.
If you’re ready to sell your car but do need some damage repaired, use Carwise.com to find a local auto body or auto glass shop for professional restoration, whether it’s a bumper repair, window replacement, or professional car detailing. Carwise provides real reviews from recent customers as well as shop hours and location, before and after photos, and certifications. Click here to get started: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.
