Selling your car? Five things to ensure you get the best price

The most important thing to do to increase the resale value of your car is a cosmetic upgrade, as the appearance is the first factor that a buyer will look at.

When people sell their cars, they want to get the most out of them. Often, motorists think that they will have to make a huge investment in the car to get the best resale value. However, this is not always the case. If you think creatively, some DIY ideas can help increase the resale value of your car without having to spend too much on it.

The most important thing to do is a cosmetic update, as the appearance is the first thing a buyer notices. From the car, you can instantly track if it is dirty or with chipped paintwork. Therefore, fixing the appearance of the car is the first and foremost thing to do before putting the car up for sale.

(Read also | This person offers cars, bicycles is worth it ₹1.2 crore as Diwali gifts for employees)

Here are some tips to keep in mind to maximize your vehicle’s resale value:

1. Improve the appearance of your car:
Cars get some scratches and marks on the paintwork with prolonged use. But minor cosmetic scratches can be easily covered with just a few simple steps such as cleaning, priming, painting and polishing. A smooth paint job improves the vehicle’s appearance and increases the likelihood that the vehicle will sell for a higher resale value.

2. Repair of wear and tear:
Small scuffs on areas like the seats are another easy way to increase a car’s resale value. You can use a simple DIY seat repair kit, leather glue, or touch-up pens to help repair small scuffs on car seats.

3. Upgrade the headlights:
Upgrading your headlights to LED or HID can give your car a new look. Vehicles with new lamps will look safer, high performance and well maintained. Headlights can be changed at home.

4. Get new tires:
It might be a good idea to put new tires on the car. This will instantly increase the car’s resale value, giving it a more sensible appeal.

5. Clean the car well:
This is the least expensive tip and can be done using a little elbow grease. You can also hire a professional car wash and/or valet service.

Date of first publication: October 17, 2022, 5:13 PM IST