Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

Interested in trading in your vehicle? With our finance team at Ocean Honda Santa Cruz near Santa Cruz, you can trust you’re getting a fair offer for your trade-in vehicle. But should you fix your car before trading in to get an even better offer? This depends on a few things. While we suggest fixing minor issues such as cleaning off dirt with a car wash, it’s not necessary to get your vehicle detailed or make any major repairs. Learn more about what you should and shouldn’t fix when trading in a vehicle at Ocean Honda Santa Cruz.

What Not To Fix Before Trading In Your Car?

We strongly recommend not wasting your time or money completing any major repairs for the following reasons:

• Major repairs cost a lot, and could result in you walking away with less net profit for your trade-in.
• Dealerships offer the resources needed, such as experienced service technicians, to have any major repairs done at a lower cost than you’d pay to have them fixed before trading in your vehicle.
• Some Aptos-area dealerships might not inspect your car in detail before finalizing the sale, so they may not even consider the cost of future repairs when calculating your trade-in offer.

What To Fix Before Trading In Your Car?

While there aren’t many substantial changes to make, there are definitely a few things you can do to help your trade-in car make a great impression. Most dealerships want to make sure they can sell a well-maintained vehicle, so a clean interior and exterior can go a long way. Also keep in mind that dealerships might lower the trade-in price to set aside money for the repairs the vehicle may need before it can be resold. So, what should you fix before bringing your vehicle to our Soquel dealership? Check out our list below:

• Wash the car to get rid of any marks or stains that will take away from the overall appearance.
• 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.
• Clean out the inside of your car by getting rid of any garbage and personal belongings, along with cleaning the windows and carpets.
• Fix any small scratches with touch-up paint or get minor dents repaired to help with the appearance as well.
• Wax your car for a shiny finish that glistens in the bright CA sun.

Though you can benefit from fixing dents and scratches or cleaning your car seat leather, you do need to make sure that any DIY repairs are done properly. If minor fixes such as these aren’t done the right way and with the appropriate tools and materials, the dealership might notice and reduce the trade-in value.

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

In order to increase your chances of a higher trade-in value in Watsonville, you can fix the small things your vehicle needs. Having the right documentation on hand can also hasten the trade-in princess along. Be sure to have the following items on hand when you arrive at our dealership with your trade-in:

• 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 Ocean Honda Santa Cruz Today!

Learn about your vehicle’s trade-in value, our finance services, and more with our team at Ocean Honda Santa Cruz. No matter if you’re ready to drive off in a new vehicle or you’re looking for a certified pre-owned model, we can help you find what you’re looking for. If you have questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact our team.