Have you ever thought about selling your car, only to realise that it’s not going to be worth as much as you’d hoped? Let’s be honest; none of us really want to miss out on money for our cars, especially in this day and age with the cost of living feeling crippling. Still, identifying areas your car falls down on can an also open up new opportunities.
In line with this, today, we’re looking at some of the key things you should know to help add value to your car, including simple options to make your sale a little easier.
5 Options to Add Value to Your Car
If you’re looking to add value to your car, the following five options could really help.
#1 Authenticate the Sale with a Car History Check
One of the most important steps you can take to add value to your car is simple: make sure you prove ownership of the vehicle and verify any claims you make through a car history check.
A number plate check shows multiple pieces of information about the vehicle, including whether there’s any outstanding finance and whether it’s been reported as stolen. Accordingly, these checks can be ideal to demonstrate that you’re being honest about the car, increasing the buyer’s confidence and encouraging them to pay more.
#2 Clean the Car Up Inside and Out
Before selling, always take some time to give the car a little TLC. Indeed, something as simple as cleaning the car can have a very significant influence on its value? As such, you should always try to keep the exterior clean and free of scratches, dents, and rust. Moreover, if you get a moment, try to regularly wash and wax the vehicle, and consider minor touch-ups or paint correction work if necessary, and don’t forget to replace any damaged or broken parts.
Don’t neglect the inside of your car, either! The condition of the interior can significantly impact a buyer’s perception of the car’s value. Keep the interior clean and well-maintained, regularly vacuuming and promptly addressing any stains, to help make the vehicle more appealing to buyers.
#3 Add a Private Number Plate for Old Vehicles
If your vehicle is a little older, it’s perhaps unsurprising that this can put buyers off. However, investing in a private number plate can help increase the appeal significantly, especially if the number plate ties in with the model of car.
#4 Get Your Paperwork in Order
Buyers may want to check your car’s paperwork, even after getting a car history check. As such, ensuring you have all your paperwork in order can help ensure that nothing’s lost when the buyer asks to see it. After all, if you can’t provide this information immediately, it’s no surprise the buyer may begin to doubt whether you are honest or if they ought to steer clear of your vehicle instead!
#5 Be Prepared to Agree to the Sale
Finally: make sure you’re ready for potential buyers to come out and see the car! There’s nothing more frustrating for a buyer than the seller fumbling around, and this may leave the buyer unwilling to purchase in the end. Similarly, delaying a response to an offer can also end up with you getting into significant difficulties in terms of achieving a successful sale. After all, keeping the car for longer periods will increase the mileage and as such may lower the value of the vehicle.
Don’t chance it; make sure you’re prepared to accept any genuine and agreeable offers coming your way.
Final Thoughts
While everyone wants to get the most from their car sale, in some cases, you’ll need to go the extra mile to add value and make sure potential buyers are willing to pay a fair price. Luckily, proving that your car sale is authentic is one of the best ways to go about this, saving time and hassle for the buyer and increasing your chances of making a good price.