Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

If you want to upgrade your car in Troy and want to know its trade-in value, we at Cooley Mazda can help you out. Many car shoppers will often ask, “should I fix my car before trading it in?” There might not be one right answer to this, but the finance and service people at Cooley Mazda have some tips for you. We think you should take care of small fixes like minor scratches and paint issues, but leave the big things to the dealership you sell it to. Why’s that? We’ll tell you all about it in our guide to trading in a damaged car.

Fix My Car Before Trade: What to Fix 

Repair or trade in a car? There are certain things you’ll want to fix. Things that primarily have to do with presentation are best to get fixed to get a higher trade-in value. Here’s what you’ll want to fix to make the appearance of your car look a little bit better:

• Clean out the interior cabin and take out any garbage, personal items, etc. Clean the windows and carpets too.
• Wash the car to remove any marks and stains.
• Fix any minor scratches. Many can be fixed at your Albany home.
• Wax your car after washing it to give it a shiny finish.
• Check the headlamps to make sure they’re working properly.
• Check the fluids, oil, radiator, and windshield to show the dealer you’ve been keeping up with routine maintenance.

Fix My Car Before Trade: What Not To Fix

If you’ve got significant issues facing your Latham car, you will want to shy away from fixing them for several reasons. These include:

• Major repairs are expensive and decrease your net profit from the trade.
• Dealerships have the tools and know-how to fix any major issues on your vehicle at a lower cost than you’d spend out of pocket. This is how the dealership makes a profit on reselling used cars.
• Some dealerships might not do the most detailed job of looking at your car before finalizing the trade, so they might not deduct the repair costs from the trade-in value.

All of these factors make trading in a damaged car something you should consider.

Enjoy an Easy Trade with Us

We’ve answered “Should I repair my car before trading in?” If you’re still asking whether to repair or trade-in your car, talk to one of the pros at Cooley Mazda. Our contact form is always open! Connect with us and we’ll help you make the right choice.