1. Research The Price
Do some research on how much your car is worth? Here are three valuation sites that can help you start. These sites will give you realistic information on how much your car is worth for a trade or a sale.
• Edmunds.com
• Kbb.com
• NADA.com
2. Car - Physical
Now, that you know the value of the vehicle make sure everything else is working. Examine and take the car to a mechanic for a car physical, make sure everything works properly. Find out what needs to be taken care of before the buyer does. Use a checklist to help you out.
• Check the Engine
• Check all the fluids, tires and pressure.
• Tightened the belts or replace if necessary.
• Check all lights (Single and break light)
• Check the battery or replace it if is more than 4 years old
• Get an oil change if is more than 5,000 miles
• Replace the windshield wipers if need to
• Replace the air filter a couple weeks before the sale
• Replace all burnt out taillights and headlights
3. Clean Interior
Remove all personal items out of the car including doors pockets, glove compartment and under the seats. Also replace all lights and dome light if they are burned out.
• Wash and treat seat of cloth or leather
• Vacuum the carpets
• Get a deep carpet clean
• Clean the dashboard with warm water and soap
• Spray and clean the inside glasses with glass cleaner.
• Check and fix loose door handles
• Check all switches and make sure they work
• Make sure to in between the seats and clean cup holders & radio area it can be easily missed.
• Clean inside the glove compartment and make sure you add the manual book.
• Check if the hood release, sunroof (if you have one) and parking brake release all work.
• Turn on the A/C and the Heat to see if they work properly.
• Remove all electronics (CDs, iPod, MP3, Shuffle, Cell phone and cassettes) from the audio system
4. Clean Exterior
• Hand wash or take it to the nearest car wash.
• Clean all the minor scratches.
• Rinse and Towel dry
• Wax it and make it sparkle
• If doors hinges squeak make sure you lubricate them if needed
• Clean the outside glass
• Clean headlights and tail lights.
• Replace all cracked and damaged light housings
• Clean the area around the gas cap or replace it if it's old.
(Buyer might have concerns of potential fuel line problems. )
• Wash all tires and use wheels shine.
• Make sure tires have been rotated and full of air.
• Replace your tires if they're in the maximum use.
• Replace the lug nuts if they are old.
5. Clean Trunk
• Clean and take all personal items from the trunk
• Vacuum the trunk
• Make sure the spare tire and jack are where they belong.
• Make sure the jack is usable and cleaned.
Take these five steps and apply them as they help you to promote your vehicle and get the most out of your car. If these steps does not work for you get some professional assistant to sell your car.
Relate article http://usedcars.about.com/od/thetestdrive/ss/UsedCarPrep.htm
By Madeline Yau
Do some research on how much your car is worth? Here are three valuation sites that can help you start. These sites will give you realistic information on how much your car is worth for a trade or a sale.
• Edmunds.com
• Kbb.com
• NADA.com
2. Car - Physical
Now, that you know the value of the vehicle make sure everything else is working. Examine and take the car to a mechanic for a car physical, make sure everything works properly. Find out what needs to be taken care of before the buyer does. Use a checklist to help you out.
• Check the Engine
• Check all the fluids, tires and pressure.
• Tightened the belts or replace if necessary.
• Check all lights (Single and break light)
• Check the battery or replace it if is more than 4 years old
• Get an oil change if is more than 5,000 miles
• Replace the windshield wipers if need to
• Replace the air filter a couple weeks before the sale
• Replace all burnt out taillights and headlights
3. Clean Interior
Remove all personal items out of the car including doors pockets, glove compartment and under the seats. Also replace all lights and dome light if they are burned out.
• Wash and treat seat of cloth or leather
• Vacuum the carpets
• Get a deep carpet clean
• Clean the dashboard with warm water and soap
• Spray and clean the inside glasses with glass cleaner.
• Check and fix loose door handles
• Check all switches and make sure they work
• Make sure to in between the seats and clean cup holders & radio area it can be easily missed.
• Clean inside the glove compartment and make sure you add the manual book.
• Check if the hood release, sunroof (if you have one) and parking brake release all work.
• Turn on the A/C and the Heat to see if they work properly.
• Remove all electronics (CDs, iPod, MP3, Shuffle, Cell phone and cassettes) from the audio system
4. Clean Exterior
• Hand wash or take it to the nearest car wash.
• Clean all the minor scratches.
• Rinse and Towel dry
• Wax it and make it sparkle
• If doors hinges squeak make sure you lubricate them if needed
• Clean the outside glass
• Clean headlights and tail lights.
• Replace all cracked and damaged light housings
• Clean the area around the gas cap or replace it if it's old.
(Buyer might have concerns of potential fuel line problems. )
• Wash all tires and use wheels shine.
• Make sure tires have been rotated and full of air.
• Replace your tires if they're in the maximum use.
• Replace the lug nuts if they are old.
5. Clean Trunk
• Clean and take all personal items from the trunk
• Vacuum the trunk
• Make sure the spare tire and jack are where they belong.
• Make sure the jack is usable and cleaned.
Take these five steps and apply them as they help you to promote your vehicle and get the most out of your car. If these steps does not work for you get some professional assistant to sell your car.
Relate article http://usedcars.about.com/od/thetestdrive/ss/UsedCarPrep.htm
By Madeline Yau
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