Get More for Your Car
Want to get more for your car? A few basic auto repairs, extensive cleaning and regular car maintenance will allow you to ask top dollar for your vehicle.
Complete Car Maintenance
Before listing your vehicle, take it to a car repair professional in Plano to complete regular maintenance. Auto maintenance includes oil changes, fluid refills and tire rotation as well as tire alignment. Filters and belts should also be replaced along with your car’s spark plugs.
Assess Car Repairs
If you’ve been driving your car for a while, you may have stopped paying attention to its creaks and thumps, but a potential buyer is likely to notice these signs of wear. Before posting that your car is for sale on social media, take it to an auto repair shop for a mechanical inspection. With a repair assessment, you can decide whether to lower the price of your car or pay to fix it. To get the highest possible price for your car, be sure to:
- Confirm that all of your car’s main systems and mechanisms function
- Take your car to a mechanic for auto ac repair if needed
- Replace malfunctioning lights and fuses
- Complete auto brake repair if needed
Make it Squeaky Clean
A clean car is easier to sell, and it may help your vehicle stand out against other cars that buyers are considering. Weigh the benefits of paying a professional to detail your car against completing the task personally. Thorough detailing usually costs several hundred dollars, so if you have the time, save money by washing it yourself. Cleaning tips include:
- Emptying ashtrays and consoles
- Vacuuming the inside of your car thoroughly
- Laundering your car’s mats or investing in new ones
- Polishing the vehicle’s windows
- Washing and waxing the vehicle’s exterior
- Scouring the rims and tires
Photographs
Good pictures will help you sell your car. Once your car is clean, repaired and maintained, take extensive photos of it. Post pictures of the interior, storage areas and the exterior. Be sure to take photos at different angles, and try to assess your car from a buyer’s perspective to determine what they want to see.
A Few Final Tips
Kelly Blue Book can help you determine the value of your vehicle. Keep in mind that you will likely need to lower your vehicle’s sale price if extensive car repairs are in order. Before selling your car as-is, contact a Plano mechanic to inspect your vehicle for simple repairs and take care of its general maintenance. If you complete basic auto ac repairs or auto brake repairs, you may be able to increase your asking price for your car.
