Avoid These Mistakes to Get a Good Resale Price
There are several reasons why a car's resale value may decrease during its ownership. However, it is more likely that the little things are the ones that are forgotten more frequently. Read below to find out what mistakes you can prevent and repair before putting your vehicle back on the market to ensure you get a worthy asking price.
Make Sure to Replace Your Car's Coolant
It's a simple mistake, but failing to replace coolant can lead to corrosion, engine wear, and overheating issues. Buyers will often check the coolant fluid levels before purchase to ensure the car has been properly maintained. Older coolant is also a sign of negligence, so be sure to check if it needs to be replaced.
Allowing Interior Cracking and Fading
Faded leather and brittle trim are unappealing features on any car. Caused by overexposure to harsh sunlight, it can be avoided by using a sunshade. Allowing the interior to crack makes your car look poorly aged, reducing its sales appeal.
Using the Wrong Oil
Using the incorrect oil grade or low-quality brands can significantly harm your car's engine performance. Buyers often want to see records of proper maintenance when purchasing. If there are signs that the engine may be under stress due to the incorrect type of oil, they may not want to buy your car.
Weather-Stripped Door Seals
Broken rubber door seals are never a good look and significantly impact your car's aesthetics. Although being a simple fix, many overlook their functionality. The seals serve to keep wind, water, and noise out of the vehicle, all issues that a buyer would not want to deal with later on.
Letting the Battery Die Frequently
Allowing your battery to run out of charge on a regular basis can lead to a range of expensive issues that require your attention. Whether your alternator is failing to charge or your car simply refuses to start, it's imperative to ensure that you have a working battery before selling your car.
Leaving Interior Electronics to Malfunction
From non-functioning automatic windows to issues and glitches with the digital display console, check that the interior electronics of your vehicle are fully functional before selling. There's nothing more frustrating than a button or switch that doesn't work as intended. Although electronics can sometimes be pricey to repair, it'll be worth it in the long run.
Forgetting to Replace Air Filters
Failing to change your air filters can result in reduced car performance and lower fuel economy, as well as negatively impacting the interior air quality of your car. Replacing your air filters before selling is a cheap process and worth the minor effort.
Old Wipers
Everyone knows that screeching sound when a wiper has lost its ability to function properly. That agonizing squeaky sound will be an instant turn-off to a buyer. Old wipers leave streaks and reduce visibility in the rain. Replacing the wipers is a simple and inexpensive process that will reflect well when it comes time to sell.
Allowing Paint to Oxidize
Oxidized paint can often give a car a dull, pale look. It's usually caused by excessive sun or exposure to pollution. A simple waxing greatly improves your car's look, so getting your car polished before putting it on the market will restore its color and shine.
Forgetting to Address Check Engine Lights
It's a simple yet easy-to-forget procedure, but the check engine light exists for a reason. When you notice that it turns on, address the issue as quickly as possible so a larger problem doesn't happen. From oil to coolant, or more dire problems, that check light will be an instant source of worry for buyers.
Not Cleaning up After Having Pets in the Car
Pet lovers can sometimes forget to clean up after their animals. Whether they have taken their dog to the beach or the park, muddy paws and hair shedding inevitably result in a mess, so clean up after an adventure. You'll thank yourself when it comes time to showcase your car.
Using Harsh Cleaning Products
Using harsh cleaning products can scratch or damage your car. It's important to know what product you're using when giving your car a wash. The wrong product could stain or mark the vehicle's paint. Don't be afraid to talk to a professional so when the time comes to resell, you're sorted out.
Dents in the Body
From fender benders to tiny dents, these all affect your car's perceived resale value. These dents may indicate to the buyer that the previous owner neglected the vehicle. Paintless dent repair is often an affordable option before listing your car, improving its appearance and making it more desirable.
Leaving Rubbish or Personal Belongings During Viewings
Cars get messy, we get it. However, before viewings, check that you've cleaned every inch of the vehicle so it leaves a positive impression. Make sure your personal belongings are out of the vehicle, as the buyer wants to envision themselves behind the wheel... and it's a common courtesy.
Losing Paperwork
Not having a record of maintenance can make a buyer skeptical of the quality of their purchase. The buyer wants to know that the car has a history of being looked after. It can be as simple as keeping the receipts in the glove compartment of your car each time you take it in for a service.
Not Replacing Burnt-Out Lights
Replacing your burnt-out lights should be obvious, but replacing them is essential when trying to resell your car. You want to ensure that the buyer knows you care about the simple things so they can trust the rest of the car's integrity. Whether it's the headlights or taillights, you want your car to be roadworthy when you sell it.
Leaving Your Car in the Sun
Finding shady parking can be tricky, but it can save you the headache of repainting or repairing cracks in the future. Buyers have an eye for sun damage and brittle dashboard splits. Use a dashboard cover on a hot day to ensure your car's original quality is maintained for resale.
Letting Rust Spread
Rust is a car's natural enemy, especially if you live near the ocean. From surface-level rust to more serious, structural-level rust, if left untreated, it can significantly decrease your car's resale value. Ensure that your vehicle's rust issues have been addressed, not only to restore the buyer's faith but also to ensure their safety on the road.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is one of the easiest ways for your vehicle to get wear and tear. Whether it's pushing your revs over their limit, slamming on the breaks, or turning sharply around corners, these are all factors that affect the health and longevity of your vehicle.
Knicks and Scratches
Small paint chips and scratches are common for any preowned car and may seem harmless, but they make for a poor first impression. Visible damage is usually one of the first points of negotiation in pricing. A simple paint touch-up or professional polish can go a long way and greatly improve the visual appearance of a car.
Letting the Battery Corrode
Having a corroded battery is one of the major signs of neglect. Corroded terminals can even cause simple starting issues in cars. They hint at poor engine bay maintenance and other possible electrical issues. Ensure your car's battery is in good working order before selling.
Using Cheap Replacement Components
Using inexpensive, non-branded parts is never an ideal option for maintaining a vehicle. Not only is it a safety concern, but you may find yourself paying more in the long run for maintenance. Buyers will want to know if legitimate parts have been used or replaced on the vehicle.
Foggy and Faded Headlights
Foggy headlights make your car look older than it really is and seriously reduce nighttime visibility. Buyers will take note of this and factor the replacement cost into their decision. However, a simple polish and wipe can significantly enhance the appearance and clarity of faded headlights, increasing the chance of sealing the sale.
Forgetting to Keep the Interior Tidy
Every car becomes messy over time, but like any other expensive item you want to sell, you want to ensure it is in the best possible condition in order to make a good first impression on the buyer. Ensuring that dust, stains, or smudges are cleaned up before showcasing your vehicle is crucial to demonstrate that it is well-maintained and well-loved.
Irregular Paint Color
Having a custom or irregular paint job done on a car makes it more difficult to resell. Most buyers want a simple color pallet that can be easily maintained or repainted if needed. Non-factory colors, especially if executed poorly, may deter buyers seeking something less flashy and loud. It can also be a pain for buyers who want to repaint over a scratch.
Excessive Modifications
When a car is over-modified, it makes it difficult to resell. From giant spoilers to loud exhausts and tinted lights, it's these customizable features that will only appeal to a niche few. Buyers want to know they can rely on their purchase, and having aftermarket modifications may be a serious turn-off.
Poor Maintenance History
Transparency is the name of the game in the resale market. Buyers want a clear history of maintenance so they can identify potential issues to look out for when purchasing the vehicle. A lack of receipts and records makes it difficult to confirm whether the car was properly maintained in its prime.
Ignoring Minor Issues
It's the little things that add up to make or break a car when it comes time to put it up for resale. Cracks, scratches, dents, and rattling sounds all influence the overall value. You must address an issue before it escalates into something worse. Buyers will wonder if there are more dire problems with the car if these simplicities aren't taken care of.
Smoking in the Car
Smoking in your car is an instant turn-off for buyers looking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle. Cigarette smoke leaves behind tar, ash, and an odor that sticks to fabric and plastic. Smoking drastically reduces your car's resale value, especially if there are burn marks and yellowing inside. Even smokers will hesitate to buy a vehicle that smells of stale smoke.
Skipping Out on Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for ensuring your car retains its resale value. It can be easy to skip out on basics like oil changes, fluid checks, and basic inspections, but in the long term, buyers will want a looked-after vehicle. It's easy to overlook the simple checkups, but you'll thank yourself in the long run when the time comes to resell.
Bad Smells
Nothing is more off-putting than a nasty smell in a vehicle. It can instantly put off a buyer. Odors from animals, food, or even mildew are extremely unpleasant. A neutral or new-car smell is ideal when attempting to sell a car. A bad scent also indicates a lack of hygiene, so ensure your car smells fresh before listing it for sale.
Broken Taillights
Having a broken taillight is not only illegal but is a serious safety risk on the road. Replacing a non-functioning taillight is a fairly inexpensive process. Buying new bulbs or housing is also a fairly inexpensive fix and shows attention to basic required maintenance, allowing buyers to feel trust in their purchase.
Bumper Stickers
Although bumper stickers are a cute and quirky form of personalization, they often detract from a car's resale value. Stickers will often date a car, especially when they are faded. Political or branded stickers will also make a vehicle less appealing, as drivers want the car to feel like their own.
Worn Out Tires
Tires with low tread and uneven wear pose a danger on the road, as they reduce your car's grip while driving. Worn-out tires are a sign to buyers that you have shown neglect. Funding a new set of tires before reselling your car can greatly increase a vehicle's resale value.
Cracked Windshield
Even a small crack in your windshield not only looks bad but can be a serious safety hazard. It obstructs your vision on the road and can potentially develop into a larger crack if left unattended. It's a clear warning sign to buyers that you may not take proper care of your vehicle.
