Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

Is it worth it to make repairs to your car before you trade it for a new one? Will it make a difference in the trade in value? If you’re looking at your car, wondering, “Should I fix my car before trading it in?”, keep reading. We’ll talk about what repairs should be done before you take your car to a Englewood dealer, and which ones you can skip.

Minor Repairs – Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

If you make minor improvements to fix your car before the trade, will that increase its trade in value? The answer is, yes, it can—but you should spend your time and money wisely. A lot of Jersey City drivers have learned that small, inexpensive repairs can go a long way towards getting a better offer, but bigger jobs are unlikely to pay off. Here are some things you can do:

• Detail the car on the outside.
• Detail the car on the inside, including upholstery. Make sure to get rid of any unpleasant odors.
• Use a paint pen or touch-up paint to fix minor scratches.
• Make sure all fluids are filled.
• Install new wiper blades.
• Replace bulbs that are burnt out.
• Fix cracks in the windshield.
• Clean headlights and taillights, especially if foggy.

Major Repairs – Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

On the other hand, if you’re wondering, “Is it worth it to make major repairs to fix my car before a trade?”, you’re probably better off using that money for a down payment. Expensive repairs usually do not increase a car’s trade in value enough to make it worth it.

How the Dealer Arrives at Their Offer

The best way to answer, “Should I fix my car before a trade?” is to know how the dealership calculates trade in value. Here are the major things they focus on:

• Vehicle make and model
• Model year
• Odometer reading
• Appearance
• Mechanical condition
• Maintenance records
• Vehicle history report
• Market prices for similar vehicles for in the Fort Lee area

Sell Your Car to Land Rover Englewood

We want your car. In fact, we’ll make you an offer even if you’re not buying one of ours. There’s a huge market for used cars right now, so expect to get a good offer from us. And, if you’d like some more pointers, check out our guide on how to trade in a car—we’re here to help, even if it’s not paid off. We’re just down the road from New York City. So, drop by or contact us today!