Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

Kettering-area drivers interested in trading in their current vehicle for a new or pre-owned vehicle are probably wondering, “should I fix my car before I trade it in?” There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, but the finance and service at Mercedes-Benz of Centerville has information to provide to help make things easier on you. It’s recommended to fix minor things like scratches, do paint touch-ups, and make sure your car is lean. However, fixing costly issues could cost more than what your trade-in value would be. Learn more about the dos and don’ts with Mercedes-Benz of Centerville below.

Fix My Car Before the Trade-In: What Not To Fix

If there are any significant repairs in your vehicle, it’s best not to fix it before trading it in for three reasons:

• Major repairs will be expensive, which lowers how much you will get from the trade-in.
• Dealerships have the trained technicians and tools to fix major issues at a lower cost than you’d spend out of pocket. This is how dealerships can make a profit from buying and reselling pre-owned cars!
• Depending on the dealership, they might not do a detailed inspection of your car before finalizing the trade-in, so they might not deduct the cost of these repairs from your trade-in price.

Fix My Car Before the Trade-In: What to Fix

What’s worth fixing near Springboro before trading your vehicle in? You can fix minor things to make your car look presentable to increase or maintain the trade-in value. Below are some things you can do to spice up your vehicle’s appearance before bringing it to our dealership for a trade-in:

• Clean out the inside- dispose of any garbage, take out personal items, and clean the windows & carpets.
• Wash the car- whether you decide to do it yourself or go to a professional, you should wash the car to get rid of any marks and stains.
• Fix any scratches- if they’re minor, you can try to fix car paint scratches at home.
• Wax your car- after washing your car, you can wax it to give it a shiny finish.
• Check headlamps- make sure they’re working properly and replace them if needed.
• Check the fluids (brake & transmission), oil, radiator, and windshield washer- make sure they’re up to date, so the dealer will know you’ve been keeping up with basic maintenance.

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

There are some cost-free steps to take in addition to fixing your vehicle to show the dealership that your vehicle has been taken care of properly:

• Complete or at least recent maintenance records neatly put together
• Have everything that came with the car when you show up at the dealership, including the mats, keys, and winter tires

Trade-In Your Vehicle in Centerville at Mercedes-Benz of Centerville!

Now that you know more about what to fix before visiting our dealership to increase your trade-in value, you can reach out to our team for additional information. It’s our goal to help you get the best deal possible on your trade-in and work with you to find your next new or pre-owned vehicle. Give us a call to get things started today!