Should I Fix My Car Before Trade In?

Planning to trade in your current vehicle in the The Villages area in order to purchase a new one? You may be wondering if you should fix your car before trading in. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here, but the finance and service teams at Sullivan Cadillac can provide more information to help you maximize your car’s trade-in value. 

Minor fixes, like scratches or paint touch ups, and cleaning your car are beneficial. You are, on the other hand, better off not fixing any major issues that could cost more than your trade-in value. Check out all of our trade-in tips and tricks, below! 

Should I Fix My Car Before a Trade-In? What Not To Fix

So, how much should you fix your car before trading it in? If you have a lot of expensive repairs to make on your Lady Lake ride, Sullivan Cadillac suggests you don’t fix them before trading in: 

• Major repairs are expensive, and may significantly reduce the amount you’ll actually pocket from the trade-in.
• Thanks to their in-house service centers, dealerships can easily fix major issues at a lower cost than you would spend out of pocket. That’s how they are able to make a profit when buying and reselling used cars!
• Some dealerships might not do a detailed inspection of your car prior to finalizing the trade-in, so there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a higher trade-in offer after making repairs.

Should I Fix My Car Before a Trade-In? What to Fix 

So you know that you shouldn’t fix everything, but what should you fix? Minor repairs can make your car more presentable and hopefully raise its trade-in value. If your car looks like it needs significant work, dealerships may decide to deduct the money they would spend on reconditioning, just in case there are major issues waiting to be uncovered. However, this is less likely if the car appears clean and well-maintained. Here are few things you can do to help your car make a great first impression and maximize its trade in value:

• Vacuum the interior and clean the upholstery
• Wash the exterior
• Consider getting your car professionally detailed
• Fix minor scratches and dents 
• Check headlamps and replace bulbs if needed
• Check and top off automotive fluids (brake & transmission, oil, radiator, and windshield washer)

Simply doing this minimum makes a good impression, and the dealership you’re working with may notice and be encouraged that your car is in good condition. This is beneficial for you, and you also need to be realistic about the DIY repairs you can do. If you fix something minor and it isn’t done properly, the professionals will likely notice and subtract the cost of further repairs from your trade-in price. 

How Else Can I Fix My Car Before a Trade-In?

Fixing your car before a trade-in could be a double-edged sword. Here are some cost-free steps to show the dealership that your car has been properly maintained:

• Complete or have a recent maintenance records neatly put together
• Have everything that came with the car, including the mats, spare keys, and winter tires

Trade In Your Car in Ocala!

Now that you know how to get the most out of your trade-in, use our car trade-in value calculator to get the process going! Visit us near Gainesville and we can help you with the car-buying and trade-in process. If you still have questions after learning about how to fix your car before trading in, feel free to contact us.