How to prepare your car for sale

macfranc007 September 30, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Mitchelle Okuku

Selling a car is a relatively easy task – buying a used car is getting more and more popular these days.

On the other hand, if you want to gain the most from your old vehicle, you will have to make some preparations before trying to put it on the market. If you’re ready to put some effort and spend some time to make your car worth its maximum, here are a few tips that will help you with that.

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1. Prepare it from the outside

The appearance of your car is one of the main selling points. If you want it to attract attention, it will need to look flawless. Here is what you need to do to make sure it sells well:

1.1. Take care of your interior

Pay special attention to the seats, dashboard and a steering wheel, as they should appear in your car’s ad.

Vacuum every surface you can reach, if your seats’ upholstery is made out of cloth – use shampoo to clean it.

Do the same with the mats and carpets. Make sure to get rid of all your stuff.

1.2. Clean and renew the exterior

There are means you can use to make your car look like new, and you should use every last one of them.

Thoroughly wash your vehicle, polish and use car wax to make it shinier.

Pay attention to the windshield, as it should be the biggest smooth surface on your car and any defects will be easily noticeable. Other places you should pay regards to are the ones that are easily soiled and often overlooked – like door jambs and bumpers.

Another thing many buyers are checking before buying a car are the tires. A worn-off rubber is a first signal that the owner hasn’t been really careful about the car. Buying new tires may be a bit costly, but it’s an investment that will surely pay off.

2. Get it ready from under the hood

Any buyer will probably want to test-drive your car, and if you want to have a smooth deal you should get rid of all the major and minor problems your car’s insides might have, including those weird sounds. Here are the main things you should do:

2.1. Change the fluids

Oil and other fluids in your car can be checked really easily, which is why every smart buyer will probably do it. Changing them doesn’t require a lot of time or money, so you definitely should do it.

2.2. Check the small details

Loose bolts and nuts are the main reason of the rattling sounds during the drive, so you should definitely check every small part.

Change anything that moves if it shouldn’t, and oil anything that doesn’t move if it should. Also, pay attention to hoses and belts, change them, if they are too worn – it can lead to a number of dangerous situations.

3. Prepare all the documents and information

Your car’s looks are the first thing that will attract customers, but your preparedness is what might seal the deal for them. Make sure you have such documents as:

Vehicle license;
Certificate of roadworthiness;
Insurance;
Proof of ownership.

You should also be ready to talk about the history of your car – every road accident and a story about every dent you might have. Any buyer will appreciate your upfront attitude and honesty.