How to Get Your Car in Top-notch Shape before Selling It
If you’re looking to get rid of our existing car for cash, chances are you’ll get a better deal if you put effort into your car looking great and taking care of the paperwork.
Many used car buyers are turned off by a car that looks messy and needs repairs, so make sure your car looks the part when it’s ready to be sold. And used car shoppers have high expectations for the car you’re offering for sale – they won’t even consider getting out their checkbook if it isn’t neat and in working order.
Used car sales is a competitive business, so you’ll have to take some time and use some tips we’ll provide for your car to be successfully sold.
Cleaning the interior
First and foremost, a squeaky-clean and refreshed car can make the first impression count. You don’t have to pay for professional services if you’re on a tight budget.
For interior, a simple vacuum cleaner and foam/paint brush can take care of any dust, dirt and other particles in unreachable areas such as the bars between AC vents. You’ll need to replace air filters to get rid of any smells, and get all the trash out from every nook and cranny.
Scrub stains off from vinyl and leather with any wet cloth, and if you have dirt embedded in vinyl, a thorough scrub with a toothbrush should do the trick. Wash your floor mats and get rid of any pet hair from seats with a squeegee. To top it off, don’t forget air freshener!
Cleaning the exterior
The exterior and interior should match in their brilliance, so here’s how to clean the outside of your car without going bankrupt. First, you’ll have to treat your glass and windshields by using steel wool and glass cleaner, and add a finishing touch with a coat of rain repellent.
Wipe down your windshield wipers with rubbing alcohol to prevent a smeared windshield and use dryer sheets to get bugs out of your grille. Toothpaste and water are excellent for cloudy headlights, and don’t forget to clean your wheels, too.
Last but not least, hose it down and polish it until you can see your reflection in it, and you’re good to go.
Safety first
You have to make sure that the car is safe and doesn’t have any conditions that could be detrimental to the cost. According to mechanic Granville experts, it is possible to check the safety of the vehicle by yourself by doing the following:
- If there are any warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, check the user manual or check with a mechanic to determine the reason.
- Examine the brake pads and see if the car pulls on either side when braking.
- Get an oil change and check if the car is losing any fluids.
- Lastly, check if the hand brake is still fully functional and see if your tires are in good shape.
Technical functionality
You need to make sure that all the technical aspects of the car are in working order, and here are some of the pointers:
- Check the lighting system. All signal lights and other lamps should be functional.
- Check if the horn is in working order, and test if the windshield wipers work.
- All mirrors and window glass need to be intact.
- Check if your exhaust is tightly fixed.
- Air conditioning should also be functional.
If any of the aforementioned things aren’t functional, you have to make sure they are before you sell the car, or take it to inspection.
Paperwork
Last but not least, be sure to have all the necessary documentation. That includes vehicle registration, servicing schedule, and insurance and maintenance records.
You can also take receipts for work you’ve done on your car for evidence. Lastly, make sure the license plate is readable and you have a first aid kit and a warning triangle neatly packed in your cat.
Conclusion
When you’ve finished with the preparations, all that’s left for you is to sell your car. In order to attract some buyers, set a price that’s not too high, but it is enough to allow for some reasonable negotiation. Good luck!
Category: Car Purchase
