How to Improve Your Car Resale Value

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Surfside Beach and Georgetown drivers that are ready for a new car may need to look at trading in their vehicle to get some cash for the deposit on a new car. But how do you know whether the car dealership will give you the money you deserve for your vehicle? You can do some online research on Kelley Blue Book to get an idea of what the estimated value is, and then to ensure you get that maximum figure, you should consider the following about how to improve your car’s resale value.

1. Make Sure Your Maintenance is Up to Date

If it’s been a while since your last oil change and tire rotation, make sure you get this done and get an inspection by a licensed mechanic. The better the condition of your vehicle and all its moving parts, the more money you are likely to get when you trade it in. If a major repair needs to happen, you should consider whether or not the repair will increase the vehicle’s value if you go through with it. It may not be worth it in the long run to get the fixes done.

2. Attention to Detail

While a few scratches and dings are okay, too many will deter dealerships from paying the big bucks because potential buyers will not want a banged-up car. Make sure you fix as many dents and paint chips as you can. Doing this will likely increase the value, and it usually doesn’t cost that much to do at a local auto body shop.

3. Provide Service Records

In addition to keeping your maintenance up to date, you should also have a record of all the auto service that has been performed on your vehicle since you owned it. A vehicle history report will provide some of this detail, but if you can obtain receipts and records from the auto service shop where you got your maintenance done, that is ideal. By having these service documents ready to present to the dealership, it proves that you took good care of your vehicle throughout your ownership.

4. Get Your Vehicle Detailed

Taking the time to clean your vehicle thoroughly — or getting it detailed — might be the simplest thing you can do when considering how to increase your car’s resale value. A clean and visually appealing vehicle is more likely to get the higher value than a dirty one that looks untaken care of.

Trade-In Your Vehicle at Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep

If you’re ready to trade in your vehicle for a new one, come to Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep. For more information about our trade-in program, use our Value Your Trade online tool to estimate your vehicle price or contact us. We look forward to serving our customers from Surfside Beach and Georgetown soon! While you’re still here, you can also find helpful guides on checking your coolant levels, cleaning your leather car seats, and changing your vehicle’s oil—you can even find out the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof or the difference between used vs. CPO vehicles!