Top 3 Tips to Prepare Your Car for a Trade-in

When you bring your car into the auto repair shop, you’re not only trying to keep it on the road for your own use, but you’re also looking to maintain the value of your car, which will make it easier to sell or trade-in at the right price. 

You can accomplish this goal with a standard maintenance schedule, such as regular oil changes and other routine maintenance tasks

These 3 tips to prepare your car for a trade-in will help you get the most value out of your vehicle when it comes time to sell or trade it in on a new one at the dealership.

Our Auto Repair Shop Top Tips to Prepare Your Car For A Trade-In

Are you trying to figure out how much you will get for your trade-in? Follow these simple tips from your local auto repair shop in Lafayette, Indiana and you’ll get top dollar on your next vehicle trade-in!  

Here are some factors that go into your vehicle’s value: 

Overall Condition: The condition of your vehicle is one of—if not THE—most important factors when trading it in. When looking at overall condition, we’re talking about dings and dents, rust, and wear-and-tear.

Mechanical: It’s also important that your vehicle is mechanically sound and not a safety hazard. Have you been ignoring those dashboard lights? It’s time to resolve them before you trade-in.

Safety: Fluid levels need to be within manufacturer specifications and it should have safe tires. You should also bring all manufacturer recalls up-to-date on your vehicle.

How Can I Prepare My Car for Trade-In?

When you consider trading in your vehicle in the future, visit our auto repair shop first. Beck’s Auto Center comprehensive diagnostics shine the light on your engine warnings and our expert technicians will bring your attention to any safety concerns. Below are our top 3 tips to prepare your vehicle for trade-in:

1) Cleaning – Start By Washing And Polishing Your Car

Trade-in value is directly affected by how much buyers like what they see when they take it for a test drive. A well-maintained exterior will go much further than even the shiniest new paint job. 

Wash and polish it yourself (or, if you have time, take it to a professional auto detailer) and make sure there are no dings or dents in your vehicle’s finish.

2) Safety – Get Your Car Inspected Before You Trade It In

As with most other big purchases, you want to be sure you know what you’re getting into before handing over your money. 

That’s why it’s wise to get an inspection of any vehicle you plan on trading in; finding problems now can prevent headaches later. The cost is minimal and when you consider how much of a hassle those problems could cause if they weren’t caught beforehand, it’s worth every penny.

3) Take Care of Known Mechanical Problems

The first, and arguably most important, thing you can do to ensure that your used car is worth as much as possible at trade-in time is to fix any known mechanical problems. You know, like those dashboard lights that have been lighting up like lights on a Christmas tree. 

If you have an ongoing issue with something like a cooling fan or power steering that has caused damage and needs immediate attention, get it fixed ASAP.  Not only will these issues cause premature wear on other parts of your vehicle, but they could also be safety hazards. 

Your Trusty Auto Repair Shop – Lafayette, IN

Be proactive and take care of these issues before they needlessly add up to more than $500 in potential repairs. While there are some things you can do yourself when it comes to basic auto maintenance—like changing the oil or air filters—knowing how engines work takes years of training. 

That’s where our expertise comes in! Schedule a visit with the friendly technicians at Beck’s Auto Center before your next trade-in. Or give us a call at (765) 447-9459.

Image by bluecinema from Getty Images Signature Canva Pro

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