How to Increase Your Car’s Resale Value

Are you looking to sell your car? If so, you’re probably wondering how to get as much money for it as possible. If you’re looking to get rid of it quickly, there are car buying services that will value it and take it off your hands on the same day. However, you will usually end up getting less money for your car in return for the added efficiency. Selling privately or to a dealer is generally the best way to get the most return on your old car.

How much you get depends on many factors, such as the current state, mileage, and the number of previous owners. If you bought your car new or nearly-new, you are unlikely to get anywhere near the amount you paid for it. But on the other hand, if you bought an old secondhand vehicle and have since refurbished it, you could see yourself turning a profit.

There are lots of ways to increase the resale value of a car before selling it. Here are just a few ways to see a higher return on your investment.

Maintain it properly

Looking after your car throughout your ownership is the best way to ensure its retail value. One of the best ways you can do this is to avoid any unessential journeys. Mileage is one of the first factors buyers look at and will instantly dismiss your car if it’s too high. The more you drive your vehicle, the more pressure you put on it, leading to more repairs and a higher risk of breakdown. Keep your mileage low by avoiding non-essential journeys, or walking or cycling when you can. When you go on long trips, be as efficient as possible. Take shorter routes or ones that avoid traffic. 

Clean your car regularly, inside and out, and keep it sheltered to protect it from the elements. Get it serviced regularly and deal with any small issues as soon as they arise to prevent them from getting any worse.

Fix any damage

You should repair any significant damage before attempting to sell your vehicle. Sometimes a major fix won’t be worth bothering with, especially with an older, cheaper car, as the cost of repair could outweigh the resale price. Smaller fixes, such as a cracked windshield repair or replacing worn-out tires is usually worth it.

Make it sparkle

First impressions count. Just before you put your car on the market, give it a thorough clean all over. A fresh wax job will bring back its color and make it look almost brand new.

Use a cars photo editor to help with low lighting and other issues with the pictures.

Look after the paperwork

A buyer will be suspicious if you can’t show them all the paperwork, so make sure you keep it all in a safe place. You should be able to present them with the manual, certificates, and documentation of any services and repairs.

You’re now ready to sell your car. Take into account the best times to sell, and do some research to determine the best place to sell it.