Don’t Let Minor Imperfections Knock Hundreds From Your Car’s Value 

Selling a car is less convoluted that it used to be. But the smallest details can have a big impact on the final selling price.

This is the age of choice, and whether you are looking to order a pizza or take a long-haul flight, you are inundated with different platforms and service providers queueing up to help you do it. The same applies to selling a car.

No longer do you have to enter the murky waters of the classifieds in the local paper, or step into the world of the sheepskin-wearing, cigar-smoking used car dealer. Of course, those options are still there, but there are also online auction sites and even specialist car buying companies that give you a quote then and there with zero hassle.

Whichever path you choose to take, the same basic market forces apply when it comes to the price you will get. This will vary considerably, depending on a number of factors. However, some of these are within your control. Here are some simple measures that will help you get the top price for your car.

Repair minor damage

Scrapes and grazes are almost inevitable when you use the car regularly, but they can have a major impact on the value. If damage is too significant to simply polish out, you can buy car paint online to do a proper repair at home. Check the chassis plate or service book to get the paint code and the paint supplier will do the rest. Make sure that you’ve got anything that might make your car seem more equipped and road ready for a potential buyer by checking out some car and automotive reviews.

Check the windscreen

A chipped windscreen might not seem like a big deal, but it provides a haggling point for the potential buyer. And those stonechips can easily spread. If you have fully comprehensive insurance, the chances are stonechip repair is covered under the policy. Even if you don’t, Halfords do a repair service that costs just £25.

Look closely at the alloys

Alloy wheels can be both a blessing and a curse. If they are in good condition, they really set the car off and add to its value. If they are chipped and damaged, the fact sticks out like a sore thumb. Industry experts suggest that damaged alloys can knock as much as £150 per corner off the value of your car. A repair kit costs about £25, while experts will charge around £100 per wheel to get them looking like new.

And the tyres 

While you are down there, check the tyres. If they are on their last legs, it just makes the car look uncared for, so get some decent ones put on. You don’t have to push the boat out with premium quality, just as long as prospective buyers will see four tyres with a reasonable amount of tread on them.

Give it a service

We’ve all been guilty of driving around with service light flashing, or some other engine management warning light on for ever, reassuring ourselves that it’s “just a sensor.” Well, maybe it is, but you can be sure that even an innocuous orange warning light on the dash equates to a big flashing red one in a buyer’s mind. Get it checked out, and get the car serviced too – even if it’s not due right now, it looks great to have a recent stamp in the service book and speaks volumes for you as a reliable seller.