Are you starting to think about selling your car and unsure if you'll get the value that your after? You may have outstanding finance on your car and your worried that the resale won't match what you owe. In this article we'll provide you with some simple tips on how you can maximise your cars resale value and get the most for your car when you sell it on.
Just as selling a house requires a spot of spring cleaning, it pays to prepare an old car to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers
1. Keep your car clean
This really is one of the simplest things that you can do to maximise your cars value, as after all, first impressions really do matter! An expert at car valuation firm Glass’s said: “The better your car looks, the easier it’ll be for a dealer to imagine it sitting on their forecourt. If you invest £50 or £100 in a professional valet, you’ll make twice or possibly three times that back because of the increased amount it will be worth in the buyer’s eyes.”
You also want to ensure your cars smelling amazing when someone first comes to see it, make sure you get yourself an amazing car air freshener to do this!
2. Get a service
One of people's biggest worries when they are buying a used car is that there may be something wrong with the car. Before putting it up for sale, book a car service with a quality provider so you can prove high standards of safety and functionality. During your ownership, make sure to do regular services and MOT tests to minimise the chance of serious problems, and keep a record to show potential buyers that the vehicle has been well-cared for.
3. Ensure minor damages are repaired
Spending a little money may add a lot of value to your car before you sell it. Ensure you fix any windscreen chips, peeling paintwork, small dents, and expiring lights. These non-essential improvements are relatively low cost to you but will have a dramatic effect on improving the car’s resale value. It'll also make it much easier for you to find a potential buyer for the car.
4. Keep your mileage low
One of the biggest impacts on your cars value is how many miles it's got on the clock. Low mileage indicates minimal wear-and-tear and suggests that there is plenty of life in the old vehicle yet.
5. Get the paperwork in order
When you sell a used car, serious buyers will want to know how it’s been looked after during its lifetime. To this end make sure you’ve got the service book and ensure that garages fill it in, even if the car is no longer maintained by a franchised dealer. Also keep all accompanying invoices for work carried out, as well as old MOT certificates.