When you are in the process of selling or trading in your car, you obviously are hoping to receive the full Blue Book value. Unfortunately, without some proactive steps on your part, you might be looking at a number that doesn’t quite match what you had hoped for. Luckily there are some tips you can use to increase your car’s Blue Book value.
Keep It Clean
The first thing you can do to increase or at least prevent a decrease in value, is keep your car clean. If you have been a stickler for the cleanliness of your car throughout your ownership of it, it’s about to literally payoff. Stains along with wear and tear from crumbs and dirt can really make the interior of a car unsightly. Car resellers are looking for impeccable cars because that is what their customer-base expects even though it is preowned. If you still aren’t planning on selling your car for a while, consider purchasing Wet Okole’s car seat covers. Our neoprene covers will help prevent the vast majority of damage from wrecking the fabric or leather of your car’s seats.
If you don’t have the luxury of being proactive and are selling in the immediate future, get your car detailed. You’d be extremely surprised how much of a difference a $50 detailing job can make to the appearance of your car.
Do the Routine Maintenance
One of the easiest ways to lose value to your car is to skip out on routine maintenance. You should have been getting oil changes, tire rotations, and more periodically throughout your ownership of your vehicle. First, it helps prevent major issues from happening to your car and when trying to resell it can help increase the value because the purchaser knows that the vehicle has been well cared for.
Carfax has a history of data reported to it based on a vehicle’s VIN. This unique identifier can show a history of maintenance and other information. However, it is still in your best interest to retain any maintenance receipts you have.
Do the Small Things
Finally, just prior to selling your car, you should take care of any minor issues that have low costs, but can have a large return.
For example car lights are relatively cheap and easy to replace yourself. Having new, bright headlines goes a long ways to prospective buyers. A car with dim headlights can be very underwhelming.
Nobody wants a car with a cracked or chipped windshield. It is an eyesore and can be a little nerve racking to a potential buyer. The cost of getting this fixed will more than likely make up for itself come negotiation day.
If you have a handful of dents, scratches, and dings, it could be worth having a professional get them out for you. This can cost as little as $100 for a handful of dings but will more than make up for itself in the long run. It gives the prospective buyer a lot less to talk about when they are trying to talk the price down. Making sure you have an immaculate car body will go a long ways to increasing your car’s Blue Book value.
For more information about protecting the seats of you car, visit our website or call us at 888-246-5653.