You may not have plans to sell your car anytime soon, but it is nice to know that there are upgrades you can do that will help improve its resale value. Attempting to sell your car with even minor issues such as a broken tail light, could cost you more than what that simple repair would have.
When your car shows serious signs of wear and tear, it alerts your potential buyers that you may not take care of your care, and that may drive some interested people away. A simple wash and wax could add anywhere from $300 to $500 to your sale price, according to Kelley Blue Book manager of vehicle valuation, Alec Gutierrez.
Here are a few things that you can do to make sure that you always get the most for your vehicle, whether you are selling it to an individual, or taking out an auto title loan.
Give Your Car the 5-Star Treatment
Keep your car looking its best when you have it up for sale. That means taking it to the car wash to have it professionally cleaned by people, not a drive-through machine. You will want to go with the full treatment option and have it waxed and polished so that the exterior shines beautifully. Also, make sure that the interior is clean, vacuumed and free of any issues. You may want to look into having the upholstery redone if it has serious visible wear.
Make Sure Your Headlights Stay Bright
Dirty headlights can be a sure sign that your car has not been well-maintained over the years, at least when it comes to potential buyers. Lauren Fix of the Car Care Council says that there are many different headlight cleaning products available that can make your headlights clear in just minutes. While there may be some that don’t work as advertised, there are many that do.
Work on your Interior
Take the time to make sure that the interior of your car looks as good as the exterior. Take the floor mats out and clean them, if they are worn and beyond repair, you may want to replace them with a new set. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive mats on the market, just a new set that looks clean and fresh. You will also want to clean the interior and treat the leather. Use glass cleaner on the windows, but be cautious when it comes to using any other type of household cleaner on your car. The materials on the interior of your car are very different from those inside your home. Be sure to purchase auto cleaners that are designed for the task.
Have Receipts and Paperwork Handy
If you have your car maintained on a regular basis, it is a good idea to hold on to the receipts so that you can prove it. Maybe you have just recently changed the oil or purchased a new battery, hold onto all documentation so that you can show this info to your buyers. This can help to improve your chances of getting the sale price that you want.
It is also a good idea to get a vehicle history report and add that to your documents so that your buyers will have something to look over that shows the car’s complete ownership history
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