Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

If you’re one of the many Griffin drivers looking to trade in their vehicle for a new ride, you might be wondering, “should I fix my car before trading in?” In short, there really is no definite answer to this question; however, the experts at Volume Chevrolet can help by providing you with some pointers. Let’s take a closer look at trade-in value and what to repair prior to trading in. For more information, feel free to contact us anytime!

Fix My Car Before Trade: What Not To Fix

If your current McDonough ride needs major repairs, you should fix these prior to trading in. There are a few reasons for this:

• Major repairs will be expensive, which could lower the amount you receive through trade-in. 
• Most Forsyth dealerships will repair any issues prior to selling your vehicle on the lot. This allows the dealership to profit from the vehicle by selling as part of their used inventory.
• Some dealerships might not deduct the cost of the repairs when providing you with an offer, which could impact your trade-in price. 

Fix My Car Before Trade: What to Fix 

Although it’s not recommended to fix major repairs, there are a few things you can do to make your vehicle more presentable to the dealership. The dealership will deduct the amount needed for any major repairs in case they don’t appear in the initial inspection. Let’s check out this list below to see a few small things you can do to enhance the appearance of your vehicle before taking it to the Forsyth dealership:

• Clean out the inside- dispose of any garbage, take out personal items, and clean the windows & carpets 
• Wash the car- whether you decide to do it yourself or go to a professional, you should wash the car to get rid of any marks and stains 
• Fix any scratches- if they’re minor, you can try to fix car paint scratches at home. 
• Wax your car- after washing your car, you can wax it to give a shiny finish 
• Check headlamps- make sure they’re working properly and replace them if needed
• Check the fluids (brake & transmission), oil, radiator, and windshield washer- make sure they’re up to date, so the dealer will know you’ve been keeping up with basic maintenance 

If these small maintenance items are taken care of, it will let the dealer know that your vehicle is well cared for and increase your trade-in value. It’s also important to realize which repairs you can make yourself realistically, as a quick fix might be apparent during your appraisal if not done correctly. Therefore, it’s always better to leave the bigger repairs to the professionals.

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

Although you have to be weary about what to fix before trading in my car, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting the best offer possible. Let’s go over these few things in more detail below:

• Complete or at least recent maintenance records neatly put together
• Have everything that came with the car when you show up to the dealership, including the mats, keys, and winter tires

Trade-In Your Car at Volume Chevrolet Today! 

Now that we’ve answered the question “Should I fix my car before selling it.” come stop by Volume Chevrolet for an appraisal today! While you’re here, browse through our new vehicle inventory, and apply for financing to start the buying process! Be sure to use our new vehicle specials to save big near Forsyth!