Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

Trading in your old vehicle is an easy process, so keep it simple! This also goes for fixing your car before trade-in. Many drivers in the Monroe area have asked us time and time again “Should I fix my car before trading in?” While you can do the usual things to make your car look nice and impress the dealership you’re bringing it to, you should avoid trying to fix bigger issues. Find out more about what you should do with your car to boost the trade-in value! 

Fix My Car Before Trade: What You Should Do

Let’s start with what you should do if you plan on fixing your car before bringing it in to trade. Middletown Honda recommends doing only simple things that you have probably already been doing to keep up the appearance and maintenance of your car. Here are some ideas on what you should do if you want to bump up your trade-in value: 

• Take out any garbage and clean the cabin, including windows and carpets. Make it smell nice, but don’t use any strong smell. 
• Give your car a thorough wash or have a professional do it. This should get rid of any marks and stains from rain or snow in Goshen. 
• After washing it, wax it for a shiny look! 
• Remove minor scratches if you’re confident you can do it properly. 
• Check the headlamps to see if it is in good condition. 
• Other things to check include fluids (brake & transmission), oil, radiator, and windshield-washer. This is to show the dealer that you’ve been keeping up with basic maintenance. 

Please note that doing any or all of these things won’t guarantee an increase in your trade-in value. Depending on the dealership you’re going to, they can still take an amount from the trade-in value to account for any major repairs that can’t easily be spotted. With that being said, don’t try to go out of your way to do any of these minor repairs if you don’t have the time or experience. Chances are you will end up doing more damage to your car, which will lower the offer instead of increasing it! Simplicity is key. 

Fix My Car Before Trade: What You Should Not Do

Because our team at Middletown Honda already advises you to proceed cautiously with minor fixes, you can already guess that we will advise you not to worry about major fixes. Whether you are an auto DIY vet or not, fixing major issues will probably cost more on your own than if they were fixed in a dealership. Here are more reasons why fixing major problems are a big no-no: 

• Major repairs take a lot of resources, time, and material, which translates to money. You’ll probably get even less for your car after accounting for how much you spend to fix big issues. Not to mention, you are taking the risk that you can successfully repair it properly. 
• If you’re worried about major issues lowering your offer by a lot, you should know that not all dealerships inspect your car thoroughly, so they might not even account for the cost of these repairs. Plus, you are better off getting the best offer you can near Warwick without doing much! Come to Middletown Honda for fair offers. 

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

If you decide you don’t want to fix your car at all, at least have the following to show that your car has been cared for: 

• Organized complete or at least recent maintenance records 
• Bring everything that came with the car, including the mats, keys, and winter tires

Complete Your Trade-In at Middletown Honda Today! 

Now that you know the expert answer to “Should I fix my car before trading in?” finalize your trade-in at Middletown Honda! Contact us with questions and learn more car buying tips from us.