A car is an investment you make for yourself and for your loved ones. It can enable you to be more mobile, and comfortable as you navigate your community. However, at some point, you will find yourself needing to upgrade to a bigger or better vehicle. Maybe you’ve had a promotion that comes with a substantial pay increase, or you just had a new baby and you need more room in your vehicle for your growing family. Whatever the reason is, you will need to sell your current car before you buy a new one that is more suited to your new lifestyle. The best way to get the most for your car when you go to trade it in is to keep it running well, and looking good. Here are some simple tips that will help you do just that.
Keep Up with Regular Maintenance
One of the most important things you can do for your vehicle is to make sure it stays in good running condition. Check with your local dealer about how often they recommend maintenance be done on your car, and stick to their timeline as closely as possible. This will help ensure that everything is working according to manufacturer specifications.
Why does this have a positive effect on the resale value of my car?
Keeping your vehicle in good working order will keep it running smoothly and efficiently, so when you go to trade it in, they won’t have to spend additional money inspecting or fixing any problems that may exist with the engine. This saves the dealer time and money right off the bat, which is always a good thing when you’re trying to make money off the sale of your car.
Buyers will also be more likely to pay you your asking price if the vehicle is in tip-top shape. It means that they would be unlikely to spend more on repairs after they purchase the car.
Look After the Interior
Keeping the inside of your car clean not only makes it look nice, but also keeps it smelling fresh and ready for new passengers. It also helps protect the leather or fabric surfaces from staining which can devalue your vehicle.
If you aren’t very good with stains, hire a professional cleaning service to come in and become one with the fabric or leather of your vehicle through some scrubbing and sponging. This will help eliminate any stains that could drive a potential buyer away.
Protect the Exterior
The exterior of the vehicle is the first thing that people see. Keeping the exterior of your vehicle clean and shiny will do more than just make it look nice. If your paint job is chipped or dented, fixing these issues will help you get closer to the price you want for it.
Usually, a car wrap can protect the paint job of the vehicle from minor scrapes and dents caused by environmental elements and other careless drivers.
Keep it Clean Inside and Out
A clean car is also more pleasant for those who may be interested in buying it, as well as the dealer who will be looking at it. It will not only look better on the outside, but with regular vacuuming and waxing, the inside will also be clean.
Buyers love to purchase newly detailed vehicles, as it is easier for them to see themselves in your vehicle when they are not distracted by trash on the seats or dust sticking to every surface inside.
The cleanliness of the interior and exterior of your car will also be seen as a reflection of the attention and care that you have given it. If it’s dirty, it means that the cars has been neglected. The buyer may become wary that the vehicle may not be in good condition after all.
Add Tech and Extras
Newer model cars with the latest technological advances are not only easier and safer to drive, but they can also make the car more attractive to potential buyers.
Depending on how high tech you want to go with the upgrades, this could be anything from a premium sound system to built in GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, and even voice activated controls.
Although it will cost you additional expenses, these additions can make a world of difference in your car’s resale value. Just remember to stick with features that you use and not make additions solely to sell your vehicle for a higher price.
To increase the resale value of your car, follow these basic tips. Doing small things will ensure that you get back your investment which you can use to pay off your next vehicle.
