Monday, May 17, 2010

Used Car: Tips on Increasing its Value

Whether you’re trading your vehicle in or selling it private party, you want to get the most for it. With a little elbow grease and a few dollars, you can increase the value of that used vehicle, as well as increasing the probability of selling it.

Cleaning/Reconditioning

First impressions are everything. A potential buyer will assume if you didn't care what the inside or outside looked like, that you didn't care what happened under the hood either. Take the time to make sure that these areas look impeccable. A simple vacuuming, shampooing, wash and wax will take care of this. Don’t forget the engine compartment. A simple degreaser and a rinse will take care of this. If you don’t want to do this yourself, for about $100, you can have it done.

Cosmetic Repairs

Anything that makes the vehicle look as though it is in disrepair needs to be fixed. This can include anything such as broken mirrors, glass, headlight, tail lights, missing heater and radio knobs, and tires. These items are inexpensive to replace and a simple trip to a junk yard can save you a bundle. Many items are attached only by a few screws and can be changed in minutes.

Remove aftermarket parts and accessories

If your vehicle has any modifications that aren't factory installed, a suggestion would be to remove these and replace them with the factory parts. If a buyer sees these modifications, they may assume that the vehicle has been beaten on or taken for one too many joy rides.

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