Whether you’re selling your car private-party or trading in it, there are a few key things you can do to ensure you’re not hurting its resale value. These 4 tips could help earn you hundreds of additional dollars on the price of a used car you are selling as well as expedite the process.

1. Messy Interiors Can Hurt a Used Car’s Value

First impressions matter; especially when trying to sell a used car. If you have kids, you know it’s almost impossible to keep a car clean. Whether it’s because of food and drink spills or that spot on the back of the front seat that they kick repeatedly on road trips, you’ll want to make sure that those areas of concern have been cleaned up. Make sure you get your car professionally detailed before selling or trading it in if you have a family, pets, or just don’t keep it in showroom condition.

2. Not Keeping Your Car’s Maintenance Records

Regardless of it you bought your car new or used, you really should keep every maintenance record from the time you bought it. Savvy used car buyers are going to know when you bought your car based on a purchase of its vehicle history from either Carfax or Auto Check. If you don’t have a record of your cars maintenance it could indicate to the potential buyer that you don’t maintain your car, which may lower its value.

3. Selling a Used Car with Mechanical Defects

There’s a legal axiom that a lawyer never asks a question without knowing the answer. Yet, people sell their used cars without knowing its mechanical condition. There are a couple of options here. The first is buying a CarMD diagnostic tool. You’re going to want one as you look for used cars. Start off by using it on your own used car. It will give you a report on potential problems. Don’t be surprised if prospective owners show up with one. The second thing you can do is have your used car inspected to give the potential buyer peace of mind and a clear indication of what maintenance may be required. A certified mobile mechanic can come to your home and inspect your car and tell you what’s wrong with it. You can then decide if you want to get the work done before selling it. If you received a recall notice for your car, you’ll want to get the repair work completed before selling it to ensure the car meets national safety standards.

4. Customizing Your Used Car Can Decrease Value

Let’s say, for example, you own a customized Dodge Neon. You’ve spent a lot of money on a high-end sound system, large wheels, a suped up exhaust system and a special suspension. When you go to sell it you may find an extremely small market for your car. Why isn’t your phone ringing off the hook? You’ve created such a highly customized vehicle that your market of potential buyers is significantly reduced. And, within that niche of people who might buy it, you’ve narrowed things even further to people who want to buy a car customized exactly how you like it. It’s difficult to sell these types of vehicles if you are in a hurry. Make sure you strip back to its original parts if you have them to make the car more desirable to a larger group of people.

When you’re ready to sell, bring your vehicle to Alan Jay Automotive Network in Sebring for a pre-sale inspection and tune-up or have your car appraised as a trade-in on any of the new or used cars, trucks, and SUV’s in our inventory.