Are you thinking of trading in your car in the near future? If you are, it may be worth taking these four steps to increase your car’s value – this will mean that you get more for the car that you get rid of, and therefore will help you pay less for your new car!
Even if you’re not thinking of getting a new car on the horizon, number 4 is great advice that you can start following now to ease potential headaches down the road.
1. Clean the Interior
There is nothing quite like a good first impression when you trade in your car. Make sure that the first thing the buyer sees will be a clean, well polished interior. If your interior is already in good condition, you may only need to vacuum out recent dirt. If your interior is in slightly rougher shape, it may be worth paying for an interior cleaning at a car wash. If you really want to go the extra mile, purchase new mats from an auto supply shop.
2. Polish and Repair Headlights and Windshield
Another great way to make a positive first impression when you’re selling your car is to make sure that it shines when the buyer watches you pull up. The best way to do this is with clear, bright headlights and a windshield that is free of chips or cracks.
You can shine up or replace your headlight covers with a quick purchase from your local auto parts store, and a windshield is quickly repaired or replaced by an auto glass repair company. We are partial to Anytime Auto Glass here in the Greater Boston area – they have same day service that will come to you!
3. Make any Easy Repairs
When someone is buying your car, they will look for any reason that they can find to negotiate the price down. It is your job as the seller to make sure that very few of these opportunities exist. Before you sell, take the time to do any simple repairs. It may seem counterintuitive to spend money on a car you wish to sell, but look at it this way: the money that you spend on most repairs will come back in spades when you sell!
4. Get Your Paperwork in Order
Anyone that owns a car should follow this advice: whenever you get a receipt for anything that has been done to your car, you should save it. You can keep a physical file of invoices and repair receipts, or scan all of the papers and keep a digital folder of your records. With this information, you can easily prove that your car has been properly maintained. It should also be noted that this tip is equally applicable to almost any asset, including homes, boats, and more!
If you are in the market for a new car, make sure that you call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 to get a Brockton, Sharon, or Jamaica Plain auto insurance quote from one of our friendly and knowledgeable insurance agents. We are always happy to serve you, and look forward to finding you the perfect car insurance quote to fit your needs.
