How to Prepare Your Car to Attract Buyers

When selling a used car, you want to make sure your vehicle stands out from the crowd. After all, you only get one chance at a great first impression. By taking the time to prep your car ahead of time, you can showcase all that your car has to offer and attract more potential buyers.

Here are five tips to get your car primed and ready to sell:

Fix what is necessary: If you’ve been putting off making small repairs to your vehicle, now is the time to invest a little money. Replace broken taillights, old wipers, burnt out interior lights and fill in windshield chips. Pay attention to the lights that pop-up on your dashboard when you start your car. Did you forget to reset your oil change indicator or does your ‘check engine’ light always come on? You will want to resolve a warning light because this could be an immediate red flag for a shopper.

Visit your mechanic: It’s a good idea to take your car to a mechanic for a quick inspection before you hang up the For Sale sign. He or she will be able to tell you if there are any issues that require your attention. If your mechanic does find serious problems, then you’ll want to weigh the cost and benefits of fixing this. Will it help you make the sale or does it make more sense to sell the vehicle as is?

Compile your records: Interested car shoppers will want to know how well the vehicle was maintained and serviced while it was under your ownership. Gather together any records or receipts so they can easily be presented if someone asks to see them.

Include the vehicle history report: Include a CarProof vehicle history report as part of the vehicle selling process. This report will let shoppers know that you’re an open and honest seller who is willing to give them all the details in order to ensure a great used car buying transaction. If your car is parked and for sale where the public can see it, post your CarProof report in the window so interested buyers can see the history of the vehicle.

Scrub the outside and the inside: Take your vehicle to the car wash and give the exterior a deep clean. On the inside, vacuum under and in between the seats, clean out the cupholders and the glove box. Wipe around all the knobs, switches and the gearshift, and give the dashboard a good wash. Get rid of any window or bumper stickers or personal touches you’ve added to the car.

If you’re driving the car while trying to sell it, keep up on regular maintenance and don’t let crumbs or dirt pile up. These tips will help to ensure that you sell your vehicle quickly – and for the right price – and will result in a great experience for both you and the buyer.

www.newscanada.com

Image Credit: www.newscanada.com