RAISE VALUE
Used car expert reveals four things to do to get the BEST price for your old motor – a check will ‘maximise its value’
First impressions count
WHEN it comes to upgrading your wheels for a newer model, you’ll want to get the most money for your old car to help pay for the new one.
Trading in your old faithful can help fund your next ride, but getting top dollar takes a bit of know-how
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Luckily car expert Robert Kurockinas, Sales controller at used car dealership shares his hacks for drivers on how to get the most cash for your car when trading it in.
It might sound simple but getting the best value for your car is going to take some preparation and attention to detail.
Robert recommends four tips.
CLEAN YOUR CAR
First impressions are everything, before you roll up to the dealer, give your car a showroom-worthy shine.
CAR HACKS
Scrub down that exterior to buff out any blemishes, and detail the interior to perfection. A squeaky-clean car tells the dealer it’s been pampered, potentially boosting your trade-in offer.
Wheels
Those alloy wheels may add flair, but if they’re looking tired or scratched, they could deflate your trade-in value.
Give them a new lease of life with a thorough clean or consider a pro refurbishment. It’s a small investment that can pay off big time at appraisal.
Having a full-service history
Keep those service records royally up-to-date.
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Full-service history is gold in the trade-in game, signaling your car’s been well-loved and maintained.
Schedule a service if needed before you hit the dealer. It not only keeps things running smoothly but also shows you mean business when it comes to value.
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Cars with a full-service history can sell for more because it is an indicator of quality.
Mr Darren Miller, Marketing Director at Big Motoring World, adds, “Your car is an asset that can depreciate or increase in value depending on how you look after it.
" You could miss out on getting the best price by not carrying out simple tasks like getting it serviced"
MOT
Don’t skip the MOT. It’s not just a legal must but a ticket to a higher trade-in value.
An MOT test is a legal requirement and checks that the car meets road safety and environmental standards.
Elements such as brakes, tyres and suspension are tested to ensure the car is working properly and once passed, it is valid for 12 months.
Dealers love a car with a fresh, full-year MOT. Make sure yours is current to reassure the dealer it’s road-ready and worth every penny they offer.
FULL MOT CHECK LIST
THIS is the one-stop checklist that will make sure you are prepared to pass your next MOT.
Tyres and wheels - Look out for damage to the sidewall of your tyres and make sure they’re sufficiently inflated. Use the 20p coin test to make sure your tyres have the right tread depth, which should be 1.6mm all the way around across the central three-quarters of the tread pattern.The outer edge of a 20p coin will be completely obscured if the tread is deep enough. Also, be careful space-saver spare tyres could catch you out in the test, so with standard tyres of the right type and size that fit properly before the test.
Lights - Check all of the car’s lights are working properly and are the right colour to pass an MOT test. Have someone walk around the car and make sure they don’t flicker when tapped which could mean they need tightening or replacing. This includes headlamps, parking lights, reversing lights, indicators, registration plate bulbs and, on more recent vehicles, daytime running lights.
Wipers and windscreen - Replace wipers that smear because they are probably worn out and top up the washer bottle. Check your headlight washers if you have any. Make sure there are no chips or cracks longer than 1cm on your windscreen and remove any stickers that could obstruct your view.
Number plates - Registration plates legally have to be in good condition, tightly fastened to the car and easily read from 20 metres away, so checking these is a must if you want to pass your MOT test.
Doors - Fix any broken doors or ones that don’t stay properly closed. Front doors need to be openable from inside and out for safety reasons.
General condition - Make sure the exterior of your car is up to scratch. Any sharp edges or pieces of metal sticking out could cause a danger to other road users and will definitely fail the MOT test.
Inside a car - Your dashboard will pop up with flashing warning lights if anything needs to be fixed under the bonnet like power-steering or brake-fluid warnings.
Make sure you have a fully functioning speedometer or you will fail the MOT test
WHY TRADE-IN
Darren Miller, Marketing Director at Big Motoring World, advises trading in for a hassle-free transaction that skips the tire kickers and red tape of private sales.
While online valuations give a ballpark figure, your car’s real worth shines through in person. Prepping it to perfection ensures you pocket the best price possible
“Drivers often prefer part-exchanging their car because it’s quick and gets around time wasters and admin fees when selling privately.
“You can get a rough idea of the value of your car by checking online, as many dealer’s websites offer instant valuations.
“Many of these are quick fixes and doing these will ultimately make it easier for the dealer to sell your car, meaning more money for you.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Elsewhere, a motor expert reveals his four secrets to keep your second-hand car up and running for longer.
Meanwhile, this car expert shares a crucial DIY fix that could save you £340 in repairs this summer - and help keep your car cool inside.
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