Trading in your car is a sincere process; it will help you save a lot of money buying a new car. Besides, with thorough research, you could have the best deal ever on your next vehicle. Whether you are looking to trade-in your vehicle because it doesn’t run smoothly or if you’re searching for an upgrade, trading in is the best choice. Take the opportunity to prepare your trade-in by following some tips. This will surely increase your chances of making the most money when trading your car.
Regarding trading in your car, there are some necessary actions to consider. You may think your car is ready for trade-in, but dealers will determine its appraisal. Even if you are trading directly with a dealer, without buying another car, or want to change your old car for a new one, attention to detail is the key. Make sure that you get a fair value when you are trading in your vehicle. Let’s discuss a few tips on how you can prepare your car for a profitable trade-in.
Getting Your Car Ready for a Trade-In
The first action in trading-in your car is getting your vehicle prepared before you walk into our dealership. Clean the vehicle thoroughly–in and out. For the exterior, a new coat of wax and a clean wash should do the deal. For the interiors, begin by disposing of your items and then vacuum the area. You can have it detailed or do it on your own; making a good impression increases your chances of getting a better value.
Bring Your Vehicle to Us and Get an Appraisal.
Your goal now is to get a fair offer. We recommend getting a trade-in appraisal from Cars and Credit Master. Just remember that the trade-in value you’re offered can change depending on several factors, including the car’s condition, our current inventory, and the probability that the vehicle can be sold. The appraiser will deduct right away for any damage on your car you might need to have repaired.
Check and Clean the Engine and Vehicle’s Compartment.
Ensure the engine compartment; there are no tools, wipers, or empty fluid bottles inside it. Some detailers will clean it for you if that is something you need. Ensure that you use a quality degreaser when you do it yourself, making sure to get all the compounds off your hoses and belts. Your trunk should be clean and empty, do not leave boxes, empty bottles, or any tools in the trunk of your car. Also, make sure your spare tire is not flat, and there is no standing water in the vehicle.
Check Your Windshield Wiper Blades And Replace Them If Necessary.
Inspect the windshield wiper blades when you are trading in your car. Simply replace your current wiper blades with a fine good set with the correct size for the vehicle. When the appraiser turns them on to check the wiper fluid, they will clean the windshield off, and it should operate nice and smooth.
Replace All Interior And Exterior Broken Light Bulbs
Ask a friend or a family member to do a quick check of your headlights, running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. Do not forget to inspect your interior lights, as well, and replace them if necessary. Bulbs are inexpensive and can be bought online or at any local auto parts store near you.
Inspect And Replace Your Vehicle’s Fluids
The appraiser will check your car’s engine oil, radiator, transmission fluid, brake, and windshield wiper fluid. Make sure you replace them all and top off and leave the tiny sticker on the windshield. They will inspect your car’s fluids if they found an expired sticker on your windshield. This also gives an appraiser a good impression that you keep up with your car’s preventive maintenance.
Change The Air Filter And Schedule A Tune-up.
If your car is getting a hard time running, you can schedule a not expensive tune-up at a local quick-service place. They will try and upsell you everything, but the important thing is your vehicle’s basic tune-up. If you don’t want to spend money on a basic tune-up, at least ensure that you change your car’s air filter.
Retouch Any Chips And Scratches
There are plenty of chemicals and compounds out there to cover or conceal scratches long enough to trade in your car. You can also use car touch up paint; just ensure that you take the correct color code of your car and spend time retouching the scratches. You can visit local auto parts stores, and they will help you learn how to find the right paint code for your car.
Ensure That Your Air Conditioner Is Working And Blows Cold
If your car’s air conditioner is not working correctly or not blowing cold, this can be an issue. Spend the money and effort to check on it. You may also consider having it checked by a mechanic to ensure that it will blow cold long enough and be ready to trade-in. Appraisers will deduct a considerable amount of money for an air conditioner that is not working. As long as your air conditioner is blowing cold air while your vehicle is being appraised, it should not be a problem.
Adjust And Rotate The Tires
If your vehicle rotates right or left, you may need to inspect the wear on the tires, or you may want to take a quick alignment. Tire alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension–the method that connects a car to its wheels. Most mechanics will rotate your tires, check them, and align your vehicle. By doing this, it will keep the appraiser from subtracting additional money from your total value. Pick up any low-cost tires before trading your car if your tires are beyond repair. It doesn’t have to be a new one but ensure that they have some tread on them.
Always Bring Your Car’s Title With You.
Make sure the car has a title in your name, and the vehicle identification number(VIN) on the label is the same as the VIN on the vehicle. Remember never to sign the tag until you’re signing the documents for your new vehicle. Also, do not store your vehicle’s title in the car. You should keep your vehicle’s title in a secure place like a file cabinet or safe in your home.
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to increase your trade-in’s value is by proper maintenance and cleaning. Not all used cars will be perfect or damage-free, so repair what you can before coming into our dealership. If your vehicle is ready for a trade-in, but you worry that your credit will prevent you from the car-buying process, Cars and Credit Master is here to help.
Visit Cars and Credit Master today! Get the best deal on your trade-in as we have over 500 vehicles in our online inventory, so schedule your trade-in appraisal and contact our dealership today!
Connect with us
