Are you getting ready to trade in your car for a different one? What are some things to do before you actually trade it in?
Look over your car and see if there are any things you could have done to it before you trade it in to increase its value. For instance, if there’s a crack in the windshield, get that glass repaired or replaced.
Clean the Interior and Exterior
If the interior is dirty, vacuum and clean it. Also, take all your personal stuff out of the vehicle, including the garage door opener. Clear information that may be stored in the car’s computer, such as cell phone info or navigation system info.
Drive the vehicle through a professional car wash to make the exterior look its best. And if there are some minor dents or scratches, don’t worry too much about them– that’s to be expected on trade-ins.
Get Your Paperwork in Place
Have you kept paperwork for the vehicle? Find it and prepare to give it over to the place where you’re trading it in… for example, if you have receipts from various maintenance visits over the years, share those. Organize paperwork neatly in a folder and have them in the vehicle on the day you deliver it to wherever it needs to go. Label that folder so people know what’s in it. Put the car’s owner’s manual in the glovebox. Make sure you have the registration and title (if you have them) to turn over to the person or place where the car is going… Get the keys ready to hand over, too.
Don’t Worry About the Gas
Should you fill up the gas tank? Nope. You don’t have to.
Know the Value
Finally, look up, online, what the car’s worth these days. That way you get an idea of how much it’s worth to either sell on your own or trade-in. Consider that depreciation will affect trade-ins. The older the vehicle and the higher the mileage, the less it’s worth, generally.
