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How to Increase Your Car’s Trade-in Value
Trading in your car can take a big chunk off the cost of buying a new one, so it’s important to try to get all the value out of it you can. Luckily, a thorough cleaning and a few easy fixes can seriously boost your car’s trade-in value with little out-of-pocket costs.
Clean out the interior: A clean car is going to fetch a lot more money than a dirty car. Break out the vacuum to clean out those dusty crevices, and wipe down any sticky spots. On the other hand, don’t clear out all your belongings! You don’t want to look too eager to get rid of the car.
Get rid of scratches: Buffing out small scratches is fairly easy to do at home, and it’ll make a huge difference in your car’s value. Bigger scratches and dents might require you to pay to get them fixed professionally, but it’s usually worth the price.
Get up to date on routine maintenance: The condition of your car is the biggest factor in how much trade-in value it has, so catching up on some routine maintenance will get you more money. Just make sure you’re not spending more on maintenance than you’ll get back in value.
Document everything: Related to the above, make sure you bring documentation of the service you’ve had done! The dealership won’t just take your word for it that you got an oil change and put on a new serpentine belt.
Check the tires: Inspect the tires for cracks, bloating, leaks, and low tread. Tires are expensive to replace, so don’t get new ones unless you really have to, but if they’re in extremely poor condition it will show in your trade-in offer. Consider getting a cheap set of used tires in good condition—you don’t have to buy brand new.
Make sure the lights all work: A new bulb in your taillight is super easy to install and only costs a few bucks, but a broken one will seriously decrease resale value.
Once you’re ready to part with your older ride, come pay us a visit at Two Rivers Ford in Mt Juliet, TN.
