20th July 2016

Preparing your car for sale

Whether or not you plan to sell your car privately or part exchange with a dealer, the number one priority is to make it look as good as possible and maximise the price you achieve. Prepare your car for sale.

 

Revive! bodywork and alloy wheel repair specialists offers these top tips:

 

  • Give your car a good clean inside and out. A scruffy interior with crisp wrappers, dog hair and crumbs could put off potential buyers and drive down the dealer’s offer. If you don’t have the time or equipment to do it yourself take the vehicle to a car wash service for a full valeting.

 

  • Take a walk around the vehicle to check for cracked headlights and wing mirrors, and replace if necessary.

 

  • If you have minor scratches and scuffs to the bodywork or alloy wheels ask an accredited mobile bodywork repairer such as Revive! to give you a free estimate for the repairs. For most cars the work will cost less than the weekly shop and your vehicle will be worth considerably more as a result. A prospective private buyer will want to get the best looking car for their money, so if yours is scratch free and at the right price you’ll be on to a winner. Again dealers will factor in the cost of putting the car right into the price they offer you so aim to give them the car as forecourt ready as possible.

 

  • Ensure your tyres have a decent level of tread all round.

 

  • Lift up the bonnet and give the engine compartment a dust and clean. If it is oily clean it with a proprietary de-greaser but if it is just a bit dusty polish with a cloth and a spray of WD40. Everyone looks under the bonnet when they’re buying a car (even if they don’t know what to look for!) and a clean engine compartment easily impresses.

 

  • If your rear parcel shelf looks tired, remove and re-spray with black aerosol paint to make it look as good as new

 

  • Check that your service history is up to date and sort out your car paperwork neatly for inspection by the buyer. Vehicles with a full history can be worth more. If the car has been maintained by a local garage they will have your records on file and can update your service book if necessary.

 

If you want your car looking as good as it can, click here and get a free estimation on damage repairs today!

 

 

 

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