How to Prepare Your Car for a Trade-In

If you're hoping to trade your current car in for a better, newer model, you'll want to make sure you get the best price possible. While some dealers will tell you they simply aren't interested in the condition of your car, in most cases, they will pay more for a car that is clean, well-maintained, and easy for them simply to pass on. Here are some tips from MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup to help you get the best price for a trade-in.

The most obvious step (and the area that will probably boost the trade-in price the most) is to ensure the car is as clean as possible. Give the car a thorough detailing, inside and out. Wash, polish, and wax the bodywork. Clean the wheels and hubcaps and treat the tires to make them look newer. Make sure the interior gets the full treatment, too, cleaning and treating all the upholstery and removing spot marks and stains.

You spend many hours in the cabin of your car, so it's not surprising it all takes its toll after a while. If the inside of the car smells stale or of cigarette smoke, air the car in a garage for a few days with the windows open and/or put an air freshener inside. Remove all the clutter and contents so none of your personal possessions remain, including anything hanging from the rear-view mirror or sitting on the dashboard. Think about investing in new floor mats to give a tired carpet a new lease on life.

You may also be able to make some small cosmetic changes to wear and tear inside the car. If any buttons or control knobs have dropped off, you should be able to find replacement parts at your dealer. Small dents and dings could be surprisingly quick, cheap, and easy to repair at our collision center, and it may be worth the investment to protect a good price for your car.

Worn-out parts can also quickly bring down the trade-in value, so replace burned light bulbs, worn windscreen wipers, and bald tires before the appraiser spots them for you. The overall effect will benefit your trade-in price enormously.

When it comes to sealing the deal, make sure you are armed with all the right information, too. Research the maximum trade-in value of your car, ideally through multiple sources, so you know what sort of price to expect. Be realistic about this price when considering your car's actual condition and mileage, and be prepared to negotiate, too.