If
you're getting ready to sell your car, you may not think minor fix-ups
are worth doing now -- the new owner could spend the time and money
instead of you -- but that layer of dirt on your car, the stains on the
seat and that burned out taillight send potential buyers the message
that you didn't properly care for your car.
That could cost you money.
"You
could probably negotiate an extra $300 to $500 if it's properly
cleaned," said Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelly
Blue Book.
According
to Lauren Fix, an auto care expert and spokeswoman for the Car Care
Council, the value of a "mid-range car" can be increased by $2,000 or
more when selling it privately by just sprucing it up and making minor,
easy repairs.
Here are eight easy fixes to spruce up your car so it will sell for hundreds -- or thousands -- more.
1. Wax on, wax off
Got
a faded paint job? Don't spend a fortune getting a new one. Break out
the wax and polish your way to adding value to your car.
If
your car's paint has become so faded you no longer remember what it
used to look like, try opening the door and looking inside the door
frame, suggested Tim Miller, founder of Surf City Garage car care
products.
The
area inside the door frame rarely gets exposed to sunlight and harsh
chemicals so it will be close to the car's original color.
Keep
in mind that all the waxing and polishing in the world may never get it
completely back to that color and shine, but at least it gives you
something to work towards.
Keeping
it shiny: When washing your car, experts advise against using household
detergents, like dish soap. To preserve your car's finish, use products
that were created for the purpose.
2. Bright lights
Nothing
says "worn out beater" like dingy headlights. There are a number of
headlight cleaning products on the market that can make those plastic
headlight covers bright and clear in a matter of minutes. And many of
these products really do work, said Lauren Fix of the Car Care Council.
If you've tried window cleaners before to no avail, they failed because they weren't made for this job.
3. Shiny wheels
Shiny wheels look new and can add to your vehicle's luster and potential value.
So,
take the time to get in there and clean out dirt, dust and grime from
the wheels. Also, swab a tire shine product on the tire sidewalls to
make them look new, too.
4. Inside jobs
Pull
out those removable floor mats. If they're cleanable, clean them. If
they've got big holes in them or stains that only a flame thrower will
obliterate, you're just going to have to buy new ones.
Fortunately,
a new set of floor mats shouldn't cost you that much. A set of
attractive rubber mats at your local auto parts store should cost you
only about $20 to $30, said Kelley Blue Book's Alec Gutierrez.
Once
that's done, clean the rest of the interior. Clean and treat the
leather, if there is any, and vacuum and clean the carpeting.
Except
for glass cleaner on the windows, don't use household cleaners in your
car, warns Lauren Fix, an automotive expert who represents the Car Care
Council. The materials inside your car are different from the stuff used
to make the furniture and and carpets in your home. Buy cleaners that
are made for the job.
5. Get your papers in order
Sure,
you say you've had your car maintained regularly and the battery is
practically brand new, but can you prove it? This is why you should keep
a folder of maintenance and repair records on your car.
Besides
providing evidence, an orderly folder packed with repair and
maintenance records shows you really cared about your car and that's
what a potential owner wants to know.
Also,
get a vehicle history report from CarFax or Experian and present it
with the car. Among other things, these records will show the vehicle's
ownership history.
6. Make easy fixes
If
your car has a burned out headlight or taillight, replace it. If, at
some point in your car's life, some miscreant popped the chrome badge
off the grill, you should replace that, too, just so long as the
replacement doesn't cost a lot.
Also,
make sure there are no warning lights -- a.k.a. "idiot lights" --
glowing on the dashboard. If the "windshield washer fluid low" warning
is on, top it off. If the check engine light is on, have it checked. It
could be something simple and inexpensive to fix. (If it's not, you can
either have it fixed or divulge the ugly truth to potential buyers.)
You
may be tempted to just let the next guy worry about these things, but
leaving anything unrepaired brings your care as an owner into question.
