How to Get the Most Money Back for My Used Car

If you want to make sure you get the most money back for your used car when trading it in, you must take in mind some preventative measures. The fact is that if you keep your car in the best condition possible, you’ll get more money back for it.

In addition, there are a few steps you can take when purchasing your car in the first place and when preparing to have it appraised.

1. Take care of your clear coat and paint! Interestingly, one of the best ways to do this is to wash and wax your car regularly. Dirt and other contaminants can actually cause fine scratches and dullness over time if they’re left to sit or if they’re rubbed into the car paint. Use a hose to rinse lose debris before washes and use the two-bucket method to avoid creating fine scratches on the paint.


2. Don’t use cheap aftermarket parts. It can be tempting to go for a lower priced part to save money, but cheap aftermarket parts often lower resale value and don’t offer the same level of reliability as OEM parts.


3. EXPERTS AGREE: Purchase a model that’s likely to retain a higher resale value. If you’re really concerned about getting the most money back when you trade in your used car, choose a model that’ll probably have a higher projected residual value. For example, consider buying the top trim or add options that will help a car retain its value over the years. Choosing a car, truck or SUV with AWD is also something to think about, especially in regions with wet or snowy weather.


4. Wash and vacuum your car, but don’t bother paying to have it fully detailed. If the car appears dirty it may signify that it hasn’t been taken care of in general. However, the fact is that the dealership is well-equipped at doing a deep clean, so it’s not worth your money to pay for detailing beforehand. However, you should rid your car of any trash that might make a bad first impression.


5. Don’t skip regular maintenances like oil changes and air filter replacements. These simple services protect expensive parts, and when neglected, it can cause noticeable damage that may be picked up on during the inspection and vehicle appraisal process.


6. Don’t smoke in your car. The smell is tough to remove, even for detailing experts.


7. Minimize how often you drive with your pet in the car. Or at least use a pet crate whenever possible. Not only will you minimize the chances of tearing your seat fabric, but you’ll also avoid any hard-to-remove odors that may result if your pup has an accident in the car.


8. If you have leather car seats, make sure you properly clean and condition them throughout your ownership period. Otherwise, they may crack, wrinkle and show signs of aging, which diminishes resale value.


9. Avoid placing sharp objects or heavy objects with sharp edges on your car seats or in a cargo bay that doesn’t have a mat. Tears in the fabric and scratches in the cargo bay may be a result.


10. If you have a quote from another dealership that is higher, bring it to the attention of the current vehicle appraiser. You may be able to negotiate if this is the case. However, refrain from making up any obviously false quotes that may put the appraiser on the defensive.

Finally, most experts also agree that there’s little reason to pay to make repairs if you’re just about to trade a vehicle in. You will most likely not recoup your money on the repairs and the dealership also has experts who can handle the job in the way that they think is best.