Interior Cleaning and Detailing

You can either leave the car detailing to the professionals or roll up your sleeves and do it yourself before you stick a price tag to it. If you choose the latter, make sure you focus on the following key areas.

• Remove all personal items and trash from the car.
• Vacuum the carpet and upholstery thoroughly.
• If the floor mats are stained, you can wash them with carpet shampoo.
• Wash the windows and windshield inside and out.
• Pull twigs and leaves out from the area where the wipers sit.
• Check the trunk for any belongings.
• Ensure that the spare tire, car jack and tools are all in their proper places.
• Want to take it to the next level? Polish your tires and rims for extra sparkle and shine.

Exterior Refurbishments

It’s natural that your vehicle accumulates some scratches and dents over time. However, these small imperfections can have a significant negative impact on your vehicle’s overall value. Depending on how large the damage is, you could either fix it yourself or have a professional take care of it. Before you let an auto shop repair the exterior of your vehicle, make sure to collect quotes from various businesses to see if the price is worth it. If the service is too costly, you may want to consider selling the vehicle as is.

Minor Repairs and Replacements

Does your car have a burnt-out headlight or broken windshield wiper? Before you sell your car, make sure you repair these small issues, and you’ll improve your vehicle’s value as a result. Keep in mind: Any major repairs may come with a large bill, so weigh your options carefully to determine whether fixing it would be worth it in the end.

Removing Customizations

Last but not least, don’t forget to remove any customizations you’ve made to your ride. As fun as stickers and decals can be, these small additions can lower your car’s overall value. When in doubt, try and revert your model to its original state as much as possible before you sell it. If your ride has a special paint job or anything customized under the hood, just let us know about these changes when you bring in your vehicle to get appraised.