If you’re looking to trade in your current car for a new car, getting the most money for your old car is a top priority. While there are several things you can do to help ensure you are getting the best value for your car, the very best thing you can do is to take good care of it. Following these 3 simple tips can also help you retain even more of your vehicle’s initial value, therefore enabling you to get more money when it comes time to trade it in.
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1. Keep Up With Maintenance
Get your car serviced frequently, and stick to the schedule maintenance timetable in your owner’s manual. This includes taking care of things such as changing your oil, keeping the fluids full and replacing brake pads, as well as taking care of major maintenance issues such as timing belts or water pumps. Additionally, make sure you keep all of your maintenance records as they show potential buyers that the car was cared for, not simply used.
2. Keep It Clean
Keeping your car clean, both inside and out, is good for more than just looking sharp. Regularly washing your vehicle will help keep dirt deposits off the paint and out of nooks and crannies. In addition, it will make any damage easier to spot – things like scratches and dings that can develop into rust spots if left untended. Regular detailing can keep your interior looking and smelling its best while cutting down on wear.
3. Fix Any Small Issues
When preparing to trade in your vehicle or even trade in your motorcycle, any small issues that need to be fixed, fix them. Although you may be okay with that window that no longer rolls down, new buyers won’t be okay with it. In addition, if you decide to trade in your car at a dealership, the dealer will have to pay to fix these things before they can resell the car which means your trade in value will be decreased. Just like with maintenance, keep up with any repairs your car may need no matter how big or small.
4. Don’t Smoke
The smell of cigarette smoke is one of the hardest smells to get out of a car. The smoke not only gets into the seats and carpet, it also gets into the car’s HVAC system. Avoiding smoking in your car can save you a lot of money in the long run when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck on a trade-in!
If you’re looking to trade in your car for a new one, check out the selection at Alfa Romeo of Larchmont!