There are many items one can take care of prior to attempting to trade in their vehicle, which can enhance the value of it. The mileage and age of the vehicle depreciate the vehicle, yet one can ensure the vehicle is clean, and in good working order, prior to negotiating the trade with the dealership. Curb appeal is important upon trading in your vehicle. First, ensure the outside of the vehicle is clean. Pull out the garden hose, and clear off the dirt on the vehicle, which includes ridding of the dirt under the fenders. Use glass cleaning to ensure the headlights, tail lights, and windows are sparkling. Purchase spray on tire cleaner to give your wheels a new look. Complete the clean up the day of, or the night prior to going to the dealership, so there will not be any evidence of dust on the vehicle. Next, take your cleaning gear to the inside of the vehicle. Begin by using a vacuum, and thoroughly cleaning the carpets of all remnants of paper, food, coins, grass, or dirt. If the carpets have light staining, use some carpet cleaner to attempt to remove. Remove the floor mats, and use your garden hose to clean off any dirt and grime. If the vehicle has a musty or smoke smell to it, take the vehicle to a detail shop, and ask for an ozone generator to remove the odor. Most importantly, remove all personal belongs from the vehicle including boxes and clothing, so the clutter appearance is removed. By doing so, the vehicle will look more spacious to the prospective buyer.
Any minor repair ought to be completed prior to taking your vehicle to the dealership for a quote.
Replace bulbs inside and out of the vehicle, including headlights and brake lights. This will identify to the dealership that one took care of their vehicle. In addition, gather together all of your service records on the vehicle, and place the historical records in the glove compartment for review by the dealership. Again, this will indicate to a potential buyer that one had a sense of pride in properly maintaining the vehicle.
Now that the vehicle is in good shape to take to the dealership, make certain that one completes their research prior to arriving. This includes determining the trade in value for the vehicle. There are a number of online sites that can assist including Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, Auto Trader, and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). By completing the research, one can be armed with set figures to present to the dealership that can be backed up by a number of reputable companies. Upon arriving to the dealership of choice, make certain a set figure is in mind prior to negotiating. Many dealerships make a great deal of money selling used cars, and their goal is to purchase it at a rock bottom price so that in turn, their profit margin is greater. In the end, obtain multiple quotes, and never hesitate to simply walk out of a dealership if one believes they are getting the run around.