Every car owner reaches a point when they realize that it’s time to move on. Maybe your family has some new additions and you need more seating capacity. Or perhaps the opposite has happened – the kids are out of the house and it’s time to buy that coupe. Whatever the reason for getting a new car, we all face the same nagging question: What do I do with the old one?
If you choose to sell your vehicle rather than trade it in you’ll want to make some preparations to maximize the sale price. With that in mind AutoExtra.com has some handy tips to help ready your vehicle for sale and hopefully make the process hassle-free.
Cleaning Your Car
A clean car can make all the difference between it either selling or just getting older in your garage. Cleanliness can also command a higher price at the time of sale so thoroughly clean your car inside and out to give it that gently used appearance.
Start with the basics by washing and waxing the exterior of the vehicle. Be sure to clean inside the doorjambs and all other crevices that might come under scrutiny by a potential buyer. Scrub the tires and wheels with the appropriate cleansers and finish them with a dressing to give them that ‘wet’ look.
Use a specific automobile glass cleaner on all of the windows inside and out – anything else can leave streaks. Then vacuum the interior and clean out all of the vehicle compartments and storage areas (including the trunk). Avoid using an air freshener unless the vehicle has a strong pet or mildew order because your potential buyers might think the air freshener is pungent and intolerable – or that you’re covering something up.
Next, steam-clean the engine and remove any leaves or debris that may have gathered in the engine compartment. Be sure to clean the underside of the hood as this is often overlooked but highly visible when open. Use a bug and tar cleaner to remove any uninvited guests that may have accumulated on the grill and windshield.
If the thought of cleaning your car seems unbearable you might consider having the car professionally detailed. If you’re not willing to spend the money on detailing, a reputable full-service car wash will suffice.
Repairing Your Car
Check the car for any dents or dings that may have caused minor body damage and have them repaired. If you feel up to the task you might consider repairing any minor damage yourself. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you begin making repairs.
You may want to fix any windshield cracks as this is not only a safety issue but a damaged windshield may not pass a state inspection. Also, cracks in the windshield can be leverage for a potential buyer when negotiating a price. Don’t let an inexpensive fix cost you hundreds in selling price.
Often overlooked are small items such as windshield wipers, valve stem caps, fluid levels, and other easy-to-fix items. They’re inexpensive to replace but they send a strong message to the potential buyer that you keep a well-maintained vehicle. Inflate the tires to the maximum recommended level and don’t forget to give the spare tire a quick shot of air.
Don’t worry about spending some cash to improve the appearance of your vehicle as you most likely will recoup any of the minimal costs you incur. Make sure you factor the cost of repair into the vehicle sale price.
Vehicle Maintenance Records
Gather all of your service records and have them available should the potential buyer ask to see them. Don’t worry if you can’t produce every record for the vehicle. Your service station should have a record of your car’s maintenance and may be willing to provide this information. Major records will allow the potential buyer to see the big picture of the vehicle’s maintenance history which will help them evaluate the car’s condition.
A vehicle history report might persuade the potential buyer and establishes another level of trust with which to negotiate a price. These services are available online from several vendors.
At AutoExtra.com we’re passionate and excited about the automobile – after all, it’s what we do every day. Because of our eagerness in sharing this excitement with our readers, stay tuned in the coming months for more coverage of the latest and greatest happenings in the automotive universe.
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March 28, 2007 at 9:51 pm
[...] How To Sell A CarEvery car owner reaches a point when they realize that it s time to move on. Maybe your family has some new additions and you need more seating capacity. Or perhaps the opposite has happened the kids are out of the house and it s time … [...]