It can be an exciting experience to buy a new car and using a trade-in is one of the most common ways to do it. However, when you visit the car dealerships in Dayton Ohio you will have either an easy or hard process of selling, which may make you not feel in control from start to finish. This is because the dealership is the customer while you are the seller. With roles switched, you are trying to obtain the most money for your trade in, while the dealer wants to spend very little for it. When you obtain the most for your trade you will be able to use that amount to offset the price of the new vehicle.
Impressions go a long way when you decide to use a trade in. With that said, you need to realize that a dealer will be calculating the value before they even see the trade. So if your car is clean or dirty, both instances will have an effect on the overall amount you receive.
The idea is to have your trade in vehicle in pristine condition as if it is showroom ready. This is because you want to be able to impress the dealer and have them making you an offer you can’t refuse.
When you know what needs to be done and complete it, then you will surely have the dealer making a cash offer. So let’s see what you need to do.
Have Your Trade In Waxed and Detailed
Bringing in a vehicle that is visibly dirty is actually frowned upon by many appraisers and they figure that if the exterior and interior look bad, then it probably goes the same for the mechanical side. So a lot of times an appraiser will automatically give a low ball amount based on appearance.
So before you take your trace-in to the dealer, do yourself a favor and have it thoroughly detailed, washed and waxed. Ensure that the interior carpet is shampooed and get into the details and do a deep clean of the doors and hood. The idea is to get every part of the vehicle as clean as possible.
Ensure that the Entire Engine and Compartment are Clean
Detailing the trade needs to be a thorough job and making sure that the engine and its compartment are clean is an important part. Plus, the engine will be inspected and you want the inspector to see a clean engine. If the cleaning is done by yourself, then you need to make sure that the degreaser is a quality brand and that the belts do not have any residue from the chemicals.
Remove Items From All Compartments And Give A Good Cleaning
Empty all of the trash from between the consoles that time has forgotten. Give it a good vacuum and then move to the glove compartment and repeat the process. As you clean, make sure to keep all of the important vehicle documents and maintenance history together along with the vehicle manual and any cleaners.
When this is done, the appraiser will surely be happy to see it. Just make sure that all of your contact information is removed or blacked out.
Give your trunk a once over and make sure that it is empty and spotless. Do not leave any junk in it. Take out your tools, old filters, empty bottles etc. Leaving anything behind other than your spare tire will not be a good sign. Also, ensure that the spare is inflated at normal pressure and the space is clean and dry.
Look Over the Wiper Blades and Change if Necessary
It is not necessary to purchase an expensive pair of car wiper blades. Simply replacing them with a nice pair will be sufficient enough. Just make sure that the size is right. After they get tested, the windshield will be nice and clean.
Ensure that the windshield fluid is good. If the reservoir is empty, then you can simply add a window cleaner (Windex) or a mix of water and a tiny bit of dish soap.
Fix or Replace Windshield Cracks and Dings
If your windshield has cracks or dings, then you can assume to receive very little money. So your best bet will be to get it repaired or replaced before taking it to the dealer. If your insurance allows, your windshield may get fixed at no charge. Normally, dings are not that big of an issue with appraisals. However, if a ding is not obscuring the driver’s view, then the dealer will normally fix it afterwards.
Replace/Restore Headlights that are Faded or Hazy
Having headlights that appear hazy or faded can create an old look. Luckily, the lenses will not need to be replaced if they can be easily restored with some good lens cleaner. You can also utilize many solutions that can provide a quick fix that will last long enough so that the appraisal will be done. A good example that works is toothpaste as a temporary cleaner.
Change out All Light Bulbs that are Broken
Before you take your trade-in to any car dealerships in Dayton Ohio, make sure to check that all of the light bulbs are in good working condition. Test the brake lights, headlights, high-beams, turn signals, emergency hazard lights, and license plate bulb. If any of these are burned out, then make the replacement right then and there.
Make Sure That All Fluid Levels are at Their Minimums
There is a good reason to have your trade-in receive a good drink of fluids and that is for added trade-in value. Of course, an appraiser will still feel inclined to check every reservoir and fluid overflow levels. They will also do a more thorough check if they notice the sticker is overdue for its next fluid change. So keep an eye on the sticker and top up as needed. Make sure that you keep the sticker on the windshield because the appraiser will see that the car’s maintenance mattered to you and that can lead to more money for your trade.
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