Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

You’ve made the decision to upgrade to a newer model year pre-owned car or even a brand-new car. To help cut down the purchase price, you’ve decided to trade in your car. Maybe your pre-owned car needs repairs, which is one of the reasons you want to trade it in for a new one. But will it have a good trade-in value if those repairs aren’t done? You may be looking at your car, thinking, “Should I fix my car before trading it in? If I fix my car before a trade, will I get more for it?” Repairing your vehicle before bringing it in to a dealership near North Canton may or may not be worth it. Let’s talk about what repairs should be done and which ones you can skip. Or contact us today to find out more about the trade-in process.

Simple Fixes — Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

Some Massillon drivers have asked us, “If I just do little things to fix my car before a trade, will it make a difference?” The answer is, yes, it can. Minor inexpensive repairs can go a long way towards increasing the trade-in value of your car. Here’s a list of things to do:

• Detail the car on the outside.
• Detail the car on the inside, including upholstery. Make sure to get rid of any unpleasant odors.
• Use a paint pen or touch-up paint to fix minor scratches.
• Make sure all fluids are filled.
• Install new wiper blades.
• Replace bulbs that are burnt out.
• Fix cracks in the windshield.
• Clean headlights and taillights, especially if foggy.

Expensive Repairs — Should I Fix My Car Before Trading It In?

Another thing we’re asked is “Is it worth it to fix my car before a trade if I have to make major repairs?” You’re better off using that money for a down payment on your next car. Expensive repairs generally will not increase your trade-in value enough to make it worth it.

How the Dealership Evaluates Your Car

Here are the things that the typical dealership will look at before determining the trade-in value of your car:

• Vehicle make and model
• Model year
• Odometer reading
• Appearance
• Mechanical condition
• Maintenance records
• Vehicle history report
• How much comparable vehicles sell for in the Columbus area

Find Your New Car Today at Mercedes-Benz of Canton

We make it simple to trade in your car or sell it for cash in hand with the help of our finance department. We’ll even take care of the paperwork so that you don’t have to worry about a thing! From taking ownership of your existing vehicle to signing over a brand-new model, the paperwork is going to be the last thing on your mind.