Spending a little money and time on a car that you are about to sell seems a little counterintuitive – shouldn’t the new owner be the one to do that? Actually, you can add as much as a couple of thousand dollars to its value if you make sure that your car is in the best condition before you sell it. Remember, prospective buyers are not looking to spend money on a lemon; they want value for money. Here are some things that you can do to ensure that you get more value from your car:
Make Sure That It Is Clean
How inclined would you be to buying a car that is dirty? If you want potential buyers to give your car a second look you should make sure that it is clean inside and out. Wash and wax the outside and make sure that they upholstery is vacuumed and all inside surfaces are wiped clean. All removable mats should be scrubbed clean.
Take Care of the Dings
If you have been driving your car for a few years now it is quite likely that it already has some scrapes and scratches and even dents. These don’t make it very attractive to buyers. You can take care of minor scratches with polish but if they are more than that you can pay someone to do it. For just a few dollars a mechanic can make it look as good as new.
The Wheels Should Be in Top Condition
This is not to say that you should go out and buy a new set of wheels, but rather that you should clean the ones that are on now until they look nice and shiny. There are products available that can have your wheels looking as good as new.
Take Care of the Paperwork
Prospective buyers want to know that the car they are just about to buy has been well taken care of in the past so you should file all documentation related to any maintenance on your car. Make sure that each time it is serviced you file the receipt. If you buy anything new for it – battery, tires and so on – you should also file the receipts. Bring this file along with you when you are showing the car.
Clean Your Headlights
Headlights accumulate dirt and grime over time and don’t look so bright any more. Many people don’t bother to clean their headlights or the plastic around them. You should make sure that all this is taken care of – there are some great products out there that can help you with this.
Does this all seem too much? It can be especially if you are a busy person or if you are not the DIY kind. Fortunately, there are cleaning companies out there that can help you get it done. They will get your car ready for sale in no time at all and only for a few hundred dollars.
