In the eyes of a potential buyer, there is no bigger put-off than a dirty, unkempt vehicle. Whether it be chocolate remnants in the driver’s seat, a permanently ingrained odour or a streaky dashboard, neglecting the finer detailing when preparing to sell your used vehicle sets you up for a prolonged headache when trying to get your ideal cash price.
If you are serious about selling your car for more, clean it! You don’t need an apprenticeship in motor mechanics to ace this dirty task, and it can quickly be done with a combination of household products and special treatments.
Here are a few simple car cleaning hacks that any used car seller should add to their to-do list to ensure that your vehicle makes a great first impression and not only results in you selling your car more quickly and easily but also allows you to sell your car for more.
Focus on the following key areas when getting your car ready for sale.
#1 The magic of bicarbonate of soda for the interior
From heartburn relief and exercise performance to teeth whitening, is there anything that this magic household ingredient cannot do? Now you can add interior car cleaning to its list of everyday usage. Not only does bicarb absorb foul smells from your carpets and upholstery, but when combined with hot water it also helps to remove stubborn stains.
Wondering where you can find bicarb? It may already be sitting in your kitchen cupboard under the label ‘Baking Soda.’.
#2 Get stuck into the smallest nooks and crannies
Cleaning out old water bottles, unopened speeding fine letters, sweet wrappers and other various bits and bobs that have accumulated over time is easy game. But the devil is in the detail, and you will need to pay attention to the smallest spaces in your vehicle if you really want to give it an immaculate clean in order to sell your car for more.
Don’t neglect areas such as air vents and get your hands on a narrow vacuum head to really get into the Mariana trench of your car and clean out items which have long been discarded. Who knows what ancient treasures you might recover in the process?
#3 Don’t burn yourself out before checking the engine.
You might be surprised to find the engine on this particular list of car cleaning hacks but remember, most prospective buyers will take a look under the hood before sealing the deal. Behold, a nasty allsorts of dirt, dust, oil and grime are likely to cause a seemingly keen buyer to speed off in the other direction. The engine is every vehicle’s most prized asset and equally worthy of some final TLC before putting it up for sale.
Important Engine Cleaning Tip:
- Warm up your engine first.
- Let it run for a few minutes before cleaning.
- The warmer temperature makes grease and oil easier to remove.
- You don’t want to burn yourself in the process, so switch off the ignition before you clean with either a kitchen cleaner or a specialised engine degreaser.
#4 From filthy to flawless – make your car’s exterior sparkle
Of course, potential buyers will be more forgiving of a few rough edges or minor scratches around the appearance of older used vehicles. However, despite any vehicle’s age or mileage, you still need to put yourself in the shoes of a buyer and imagine him or her investing in a vehicle that they are proud to have standing in their driveway.
When it comes to the exterior, pay particular attention to making the following sparkle with a bit of ‘spit and polish:’
- Tyres and Rims
- Windows and side Mirrors
- Functioning wipers
- Front and back bumpers
- Car roof
Get the bucket, sponge, soap and cleanser ready from the get-go, as this is a cleaning job you will need to undertake before you take pictures to advertise your car.
Finishing Tip: Once your car is clean and dry, get it showroom-ready by applying a coat of wax. This will have your old baby looking shiny and new while also protecting the exterior.
Now that it is looking fresher than ever, you are in a strong position to sell your car for more.
Whether you’re selling privately or trading it in at a dealership, remember that you want to make a great first impression. The overall cleanliness of your vehicle is a reflection of how you’ve taken care of the vehicle while in your possession.
Whether you take on the cleaning job yourself or take it to a local valet and car detailer, this step is worth it. And then put your best foot forward by registering online to sell your car for more.
