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Old 04-06-2006, 07:56 AM #1
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Article: How to prep your used vehicle for maximum value

Consumer tips:
How to prep your used vehicle for maximum value
By Michael Clark

Perhaps it was the latest mechanical meltdown that was the last straw. Or maybe your hatchback has become woefully inadequate for transporting your Sea-Doo. Whether it's a life change, family expansion, or see-through floorboards, most of us will be faced with the disposal of a few vehicles in our lifetime. Whether it's a trade-in scenario for a new vehicle, or putting a "For Sale" sign in the windshield, here's a few tips that should grab a few extra dollars at the dealer, or your driveway.

Assess the situation: whether it's a TL or a Tempo, you are the expert as to your vehicle's issues. What you have learned to adapt to can be the first thing that piques the interest of a used car sales manager, or a curbside tirekicker. A simple checklist of what works, doesn't work, or just plain annoys you is a good place to start.

Dollars and sense: the last thing that you may be thinking of when selling or trading a vehicle is a budget to make it more saleable. In most provinces, a vehicle can be sold to a private party in "as-is" condition. In the eyes of a potential purchaser, this makes the car as enticing as a colon exam. Safety certification, and emissions tests, where applicable, will only help a private sale. This is usually not a requirement for a trade-in. The analysis of a used vehicle at a dealership is anything but technical. The used car manager does a quick walkaround, drives the car around the block, then flips open his Black Book and assesses a value. In the dealership scenario, you will want to address the vehicle's cosmetic condition, and any driving anomalies that would present themselves during a test drive.

First impressions can be costly: most of you reading this right now probably have at least one fast food bag in your back seat, coffee splash goo in the cupholder, and floormats with more ground-in dirt than the jeans in a Tide commercial. This is not the time to visit the Auto Mall, or even to scrawl a sign for the windshield. It's time for a deep clean. There are countless reconditioning outlets that can power-buff, shampoo, and detail your vehicle to the point where you wonder why you're selling it in the first place. Basic detail packages start at about $150 on average. Deluxe packages may be a consideration for the particularly grungy.

Even a good driveway bath can do the trick. Take an afternoon and scrub like you've never scrubbed before. A rental carpet shampooer can easily breathe life, and a fresh scent, into a soiled interior. Address any stains with a spot remover. Old toothbrushes are a great tool for cleaning dashboard and console recesses. Don't forget under the hood - a dirty engine compartment screams neglect, regardless of service history. Touch up any stone chips or scratches. A handy tool is a plastic dental cleaning pick. These picks have miniscule soft heads which keep the paint blobs down to a minimum. Bribe your dentist, or try an auto body supply shop. Vacuum out the trunk and cargo areas, especially of pine needles from Christmas trees past. A quick spin in the dishwasher can freshen up a smoker's ashtray (throw the butts out first). If the lighter is particularly dirty, buy a universal replacement or a plug from an auto parts store. Odour absorbers can help mask Labrador accidents and baby spit-up. Remember, perception is everything.

Is it for sale or not? Whether trading-in or selling, your vehicle should be a few license plate screw turns away from becoming someone else's problem. (Oops, I meant ownership). This means that all of your personal belongings, such as jumper cables, ice scrapers, and rear deck Troll collections, should be removed. If possible, remove the vehicle from the family fleet for a private sale. Have all of the paperwork, such as ownership transfer documents, and 2 copies of a pre-written bill of sale ready for signatures.

Advertise with love: it may sound hokey, but how you scribe your ad for your vehicle can definitely affect the number of messages on your answering machine. You could be the worst vehicle maintainer on the planet, and yet being the vehicle's original owner seems to carry more weight. Accident-free is another major plus. When applicable, list off any major service that has been done in the last year, as well as safety certification and/or emissions compliance. When presenting a vehicle at a dealer, leave photocopies of any recent major service on the passenger seat, with a topsheet listing the fix-its.

You're probably asking, "how much more will I get?" My crystal hubcap is a little hazy right now on specifics. The reward may not necessarily be bidding wars on your driveway, or hundreds over book value being paid on Dealership Row. Ultimately, these measures are more about reducing the hassles of disposal. Which, as they say, can be priceless.
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Old 04-07-2006, 07:44 PM #2
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Thanks Thai, this will be a big help for a lot of people. I just forwarded the link to a few friends & family.
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Old 04-08-2009, 11:34 PM #3
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Nice

i should of read that 2 month ago. Nicely done
thanks Thai
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Old 10-15-2010, 08:28 AM #4
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Just got rid of my CR-V for a decent price and minimal hassle. I cleaned it top to bottom like I was keeping it for a dinner party setting, fixed the rust and bad paint spots I caused, and put a couple of new stabilizer links in to take out some bump sounds. If I didn't know the vehicle intimately I would've bought it again!
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Old 03-27-2011, 06:17 AM #5
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For as many vehicles that I have bought and sold in my life (36 now at current count, in 17 years) I am stunned at how many people do NOT prep their cars for sale. I've seen some horrific vehicles, then the seller getting all butt hurt, because in their mind "Excellent" value on KBB pricing applies to their vehicle with 200k miles, dents in every fender, and a dead fish smell in the car.
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Old 02-02-2012, 06:39 PM #6
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I did exactly what you said and it was just as you said it would be

New 4runner acquired! Old Bonneville (sold to dealer with a FULL list of every thing I have ever done to it... i recommend making a list and keep it in the glove box...every tire rotation, every oil change, chip repair, it was all in my book) And since I had all the receipts they barely looked at the car and I got more than it was worth too! It was so clean on the inside/outside they had no choice! Great Post!
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Old 05-17-2012, 01:35 AM #7
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Thanks for the post. I'll be putting this to good use in just a few more months.

v/r
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Old 10-27-2012, 11:13 AM #8
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It is amazing how many won't even utilize a shop vac. before posting a vehicle for sale.
The two most abused phrases in the auto sale business is ....mint condition except for ......
and southern truck .... no rust ( like vehicles don't rust in the hot humid south.
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Old 11-03-2014, 07:43 AM #9
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Thumbs up

After having some knowledge of vehicle pricing is best for the user who wants to sell or buy their car first time. If you have knowledge how to reduce the price of used car by finding the Actual cash value of that car the this help you well to improve your selling/buying process. I have search this information for buying/selling process may help well to all the buyers and sellers.
NadaGuides Used Car Values in 7 steps
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Old 03-09-2016, 08:34 PM #10
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Really appreciate the write up
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Old 06-07-2016, 08:38 PM #11
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Thanks for the advice. I updated my Craigslist ad with some information.
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Old 06-27-2016, 04:56 PM #12
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Thanks for the post, I'll keep this info close for the next sale!
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Old 07-20-2016, 11:53 AM #13
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Thanks Thai. I know this post has been up for a while, but it all bears repeating.
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Old 08-09-2016, 10:09 PM #14
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Thanks for the post I'm hoping to sell mine soon
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Old 09-10-2016, 01:28 PM #15
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So simple and obvious... Usually people who don't take the time to do these things don't take the time to care for their cars in the first place. It's a simple red flag for buyers.
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