Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

It’s been time to trade your car in for a newer one for a while now. But it needs repairs! Would it be worth it? You may be looking at your car, thinking, “Should I fix my car before trading it in? Will fixing the car impact the trade-in value that much?” It doesn’t always make financial sense to fix a car before trading it in to a Wall-area dealer. Let’s talk about which fixes make sense and which don’t.

Major Issues – Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

What if your car needs major repairs? Expensive repairs generally will not increase your trade-in value enough to make it worth it. This is a situation in which a lot of Toms River drivers decide to cut their losses and trade in their cars without fixing them first.

Minor Issues – Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

What if your car has minor issues that only require easy, inexpensive fixes? In fact, minor inexpensive repairs can go a long way towards increasing the trade-in value of your car. Here’s a list of things to do:

• Detail the car on the outside.
• Detail the car on the inside, including upholstery. Make sure to get rid of any unpleasant odors.
• Use a paint pen or touch-up paint to fix minor scratches.
• Make sure all fluids are filled.
• Install new wiper blades.
• Replace bulbs that are burnt out.
• Fix cracks in the windshield.
• Clean headlights and taillights, especially if foggy.

What the Dealership Looks At When They Make Their Offer

Most Trenton dealerships will look at the following items when they decide how much to offer you for your car:

• Vehicle make and model
• Model year
• Odometer reading
• Appearance
• Mechanical condition
• Maintenance records
• Vehicle history report
• How much comparable vehicles sell for in the Trenton area

Automotive Avenues Wants Your Car!

We want your car. We’ll buy it even if you’re not trading it in for one of ours. That’s why our offers are so competitive. So, if you’re ready to part ways with your current vehicle, sell it to us. We’re just down the road from Howell Township. Drop by our Wall dealer or contact us today!