Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

If your car were in mint condition, you probably would not be thinking about trading it in for a new automobile. Still, you want to get the best trade-in offer you can from the dealer. So, you may be looking at your car, thinking, “Should I fix my car before trading it in?”

The short answer is that it depends. Let’s talk about what you should fix and what you shouldn’t bother with. We’ll also let you know what Brockton-area dealerships look at when evaluating a customer’s trade-in.

Minor Repairs – Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

It’s a good idea to make sure that your vehicle looks and smells as good as it can, since the dealership considers the car’s appearance when making an offer. So, minor inexpensive repairs can go a long way. Here’s a list of things to do:

• Detail the car on the outside.
• Detail the car on the inside, including upholstery. Make sure to get rid of any unpleasant odors.
• Use a paint pen or touch-up paint to fix minor scratches.
• Make sure all fluids are filled.
• Install new wiper blades.
• Replace bulbs that are burnt out.
• Fix cracks in the windshield.
• Clean headlights and taillights, especially if foggy.

Major Repairs – Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

Should you make expensive repairs? That money would be better spent towards a down payment on your next car. Expensive repairs generally will not positively impact your trade in offer enough to make it worth it.

What the Dealership Looks At

There are certain factors that the dealership considers before deciding how much to offer you for your trade-in. Here’s what the typical Boston dealership looks at:

• Vehicle make and model
• Model year
• Odometer reading
• Appearance
• Mechanical condition
• Maintenance records
• Vehicle history report
• How much comparable vehicles sell for in the Stoughton area

Bring Your Trade-In to Brockton

Are you ready to get behind the wheel of your next car? We pride ourselves on giving our customers the best offer we can on their trade in vehicles. You can get started right now byvaluing your trade online. We’re just down the road from Abington. So, drop by orcontact us today!