Boosting Your Car's Resale Value
- Written by Diana Smith
Many people believe that selling a car is all about placing an ad and waiting for someone to pay a price close enough to the asking one. Unfortunately, they rarely think about investing a bit of money and effort into increasing the resale value. All it takes sometimes is to clean up that layer of dirt or remove the stains on the seat to make your car look much nicer and worth the price you’re after. So, if you’re about to sell your old car, take a look at the following tips, which don’t require a lot of money or any kind of special skills, but which can help you get more cash for your car.
Paint
We all know how important the first impression is and you want prospective buyers to feel positive about your car before they take it for a test drive. If your car’s paint is faded, you might invest heavily into a new coat of paint, but be aware that many buyers don’t like it, since they believe you’re trying to hide something. So, resort to waxing and polishing. Also, don’t use household detergents when washing your car, but opt for product specifically designed for cars.
Lights
Dingy headlights can really have a negative impact on the overall impression. Luckily, there are many headlight cleaning products on the market that can make the headlight covers bright and clear very quickly. We advise you against using window cleaners, since you need a product that works well on plastic.
Wheels
If your wheels are shiny, your car will look much newer, thus allowing you to ask for a bit more money. Needless to say, you should remove all the dirt, dust and grime from the wheels, swab a tire shine product on the tire sidewalls and you’ll see how great your car will look.
Exhaust system
Not only does a new exhaust system look cool, but it also shows that you’ve invested in safety and efficiency and a prospective buyer will surely appreciate the muffled sound coming out. That’s why you should check if your exhaust system needs replacing and choose only top-quality products, such as those offered by the renowned XFORCE. Such products guarantee that you’ll be able to get the most out of the engine.
Interior
Once you’re done cleaning your car on the outside, it’s time to get inside it and do what you can. Start by cleaning the floor mats or, if they can’t be cleaned, buy new ones. They are not expensive, but they really make the interior look much newer and cleaner. Next, clean and treat the leather, if there is any, and vacuum and clean the carpeting. Again, don’t use household cleaners in your car (except for glass cleaner on the windows). The materials inside your car are different from the stuff used to make the furniture and carpets in your home. Instead, choose cleaners that are made for the job.
Sort out your papers
No matter how great your car looks, it’s necessary to have papers that prove how well you’ve looked after your car. Apart from providing evidence, repair and maintenance records show you really cared about your car, which is something every potential owner wants to see. Basically, the better documented your car’s history is, the better price you can get.
Make easy fixes
Don’t be lazy to make easy fixes that don’t cost much, such as replacing burned-out headlight or taillight. If there are some warning lights glowing on the dashboard, make sure you take care of the problems behind them. A potential buyer is bound to be scared if they see that there is something wrong with the car. It’s the small things that count, such as topping up the windshield washer fluid. It’s both cheap and easy, but, more importantly, it prevents a warning light from flashing.
These are just some of the most important tips that should help you get more cash for your car. Following them doesn’t require a lot of effort or money, but it can really help you boost the resale value of your car.
