Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

If I want to maximize my trade in value, should I fix my car before trading in? Many Thibodaux drivers ask themselves this question every day, and we’re here to help you make the tough decisions. While there’s no right or wrong answer, our service team has some general advice to guide you through the trade in process. In short, smaller issues may be worth fixing, while larger repairs are usually not worth it. Let’s dive deeper into how to boost your trade in value.

Fix My Car Before Trade: What Not To Fix

Let’s say you’ve been putting off some major repairs in Paradis, and you’d rather just trade in your car to get a clean slate. Will you get a lot of value back by fixing these issues now? Usually, the answer is no. Here’s why:

• Major repairs will be expensive, and you might not get the money back with your trade in value.
• Dealerships can fix larger issues at a much lower cost than a consumer. This is how dealerships are able to make profit from buying and reselling used cars.
• Some dealerships don’t even do a detailed inspection of your car before finalizing the trade in, so you might benefit from selling the car as-is.

Fix My Car Before Trade: What to Fix

So, should I not fix my car before trade in day? While larger repairs are not always worth the time and effort in Hahnville, smaller repairs often are. If you can improve your car’s appearance quickly and easily, it’s worth the minor time investment. Here are some things you could consider:

• Clean out the inside of the cabin. This includes anything from picking up personal items to washing the windows.
• Wash the exterior to make sure it looks great. You can do this at home or get a professional detailing.
• Fix any scratches if possible. You can usually fix minor scratches at home with a DIY kit from our parts department.
• Wax your car. This will make your car shine, and it’ll add a layer of protection to the paint as well.
• Check headlamps. Replace any burnt out bulbs and make sure everything is working well.
• Check the fluids. This includes brake, transmission, oil, radiator, and windshield washer fluid. This lets the dealership know that you’ve kept up with basic maintenance.

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

In addition to simple repairs, you can make your trade-in appointment easier by doing a little preparation ahead of time. We recommend putting together your most recent maintenance records for convenience. You can also gather any car-related pieces, like your floor mats and spare keys. This is a great way to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Trade In Your Car at Southland Dodge Today!

We’ve given you some context to the question, “Should I fix my car before selling it?” Now it’s time to get the trade-in process going! Contact us if you need any additional information on trading in a financed car. Then visit our dealership in Houma to get started.