Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

Considering trading in your Monterey Bay ride? Most car owners who want to trade in their vehicles most likely have questioned “Should I fix my car before trading in?” While there is no straightforward answer, our finance and service team at Lexus Monterey Peninsula have some input to share with you! We suggest you fix any minor details that will help your car score a good first impression, such as getting your car washed. Anything beyond that, you shouldn’t waste your money and effort and just leave it for the dealership to deal with. Keep on reading to learn more about what you should and shouldn’t fix below.

What Not To Fix Before Trading In Your Car?

Lexus Monterey Peninsula strongly recommends you not to complete any major repairs in your car since:

• Major repairs cost a lot, which will reduce how much you will actually get from the trade-in.
• Dealerships have all of the resources, including experienced service technicians and the right tools, to repair any major issues at a cheaper cost than if you get them fixed at a professional. This is how dealerships are able to make a profit from buying and reselling used cars!
• Some dealerships might not inspect your car in detail before finalizing the sale, so they might not take into account the costs of the future repairs into your trade-in offer.

What To Fix Before Trading In Your Car?

But what should you fix before taking your Pebble Beach ride to a car dealer? It is always a good idea to make your car presentable because it will show the dealership that this car has been well taken care of and it will be easier to sell a car that looks decent. You can think of car dealerships like insurance companies who need to be reassured that they’re buying used vehicles that they can flip for a profit.

Keep in mind that some dealerships might lower the trade-in price to set aside the money they will spend on reconditioning in the event that your car has major issues they didn’t detect. Here are some ways you can help your car get a good first impression:

• Clean out the inside of your car by getting rid of any garbage and personal belongings along with cleaning the windows and carpets.
• Wash the car to get rid of any marks or stains that will take away from the overall appearance.
• Fix any small scratches with touch-up paint or get any dent repaired to help with the appearance as well.
• Wax your car for a shiny finish that glistens in the bright CA sun.
• Inspect oil, headlamps, brake fluid, transmission fluid, radiator, and windshield-washer to ensure they’re working, so the dealer will know you’ve been keeping up with basic maintenance.

While you can benefit from your vehicle looking almost new, you need to be sure that you can perform certain DIY repairs properly. If the minor fixes aren’t completed properly, the dealership will most likely notice and reduce your trade-in value. Sometimes, less is more!

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

Fixing your car before a trade-in isn’t the only thing you can do to increase your chances of bumping up the offer amount in Salinas. In fact, you can do the following that is free of cost and will prove to the dealership that your car is in proper, good condition:

• Put together complete or at least recent maintenance records
• Bring everything that came with the car when you show up to the dealership, including the mats, keys, and winter tires

Get Your Trade-In Appraisal at Lexus Monterey Peninsula Today!

So should you fix your car before trading in at a Seaside dealership? Yes and no. Lexus Monterey Peninsula would suggest taking easy and effortless steps to make your vehicle look decent. If you are ready to trade in your car and buy a new car, find your trade-in value online and get started! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.