How to Clean and Prepare Your Pre-Owned Vehicle for Trade-In

When you begin shopping for a new vehicle, many people decide ahead of time that they are going to trade in their pre-owned vehicle to save money. Before you head to the dealership, however, you should make sure you have properly prepared your pre-owned vehicle for trade-in. The condition of your vehicle is a factor when estimating the value of your vehicle, so the better shape your car is in, the better. Today, Thompson Sales will discuss some preparation and cleaning steps you should take before bringing in your pre-owned vehicle for a trade-in.

Preparing Your Pre-Owned Vehicle for a Trade-In

Perform the following steps to make sure you get the most out of your pre-owned vehicle trade-in:

1. Thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle – For the exterior of your vehicle, give your vehicle a detailed wash and apply a fresh coat of wax. Make sure to wash the wheels, including the inner wheel well, to remove any brake dust. For the interior of the vehicle, thoroughly vacuum and detail the whole thing, including hard-to-see spots under the dash and seats. While dealers can see through a bit of dirt to see a vehicle’s actual value, a good first impression can have an impact on your trade-in price.
2. Fix any small mechanical issues that you can – Think about things like lights, fluid levels, and tire pressure. Anything that you can easily fix on your own before taking your car to the dealer will likely be worth the time and effort you put into the repair. However, if your vehicle is in need of major repairs, it is likely better to leave that for the dealer to repair. While repairs will lower the cost of your vehicle trade-in, it’ll likely cost you more to fix major issues because of the equipment required to make major repairs.
3. Do your own research – It can really pay off to do a little research before bringing your pre-owned vehicle to the dealership. Check your blue book value with an approximate estimate of your vehicle’s condition. This will give you an idea of a fair price to expect when negotiating on price. Keep in mind, however, that a dealership needs to have some margin when selling your pre-owned vehicle — so don’t expect to get the maximum estimated value of a trade-in.

Contact Thompson Sales For Your Next Vehicle

If you are looking to upgrade your used vehicle for a new Buick, GMC, or Cadillac, Thompson Sales has the deals for you. Call one of Thompson Sales’ expert car sales representatives at (417) 763-6811 today, or visit our dealership at 1555 E Independence Springfield MO. We look forward to working with you!