Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

If you are trading in your vehicle to purchase a new vehicle or a newer model year used car for your commutes to Salem, you may be wondering if you should fix your car before trading in to maximize the value of it. The general tips our finance and service team would give, is to only do minor fixes. Scratches, paint touch ups, and cleaning your vehicle are worthwhile, but you shouldn’t do any major repairs because most often the benefit is outweighed by the cost. Keep reading to learn more about trading in your vehicle with Lum's Buick GMC. Once you are ready to trade in your car, you can utilize our value your trade tool.

Fix My Car Before Trade In: What to Do

Is it worth the trouble of performing minor repairs before you trade in your vehicle with a dealership outside Newberg? As we mentioned above, minor fixes like paint touch ups, buffing out scratches, and a few more can make your vehicle seem more presentable at trade-in and thus raise the value you’ll get from it. When you go to trade in your vehicle, the dealership will deduct the value of repairs, and you want to minimize that deduction. So, here are a few things you can do to improve your vehicle’s appearance prior to trade-in:

• Deep clean the inside including any garbage and personal items. Make sure the windows and carpets are also clean.
• Wash your car. If you get it detailed or do it yourself, make sure marks and stains are gone.
• Repair minor scratches, you may be able to fix car paint scratches at home.
• Wax your vehicle after washing your car, for a like-new, shiny finish.
• Check your headlamps to see if they’re working properly and replace them if need be.
• Do basic maintenance like checking the fluids (brake & transmission), oil, radiator, and wiper fluid.

Fix My Car Before Trade In: What Not To Do

If your current vehicle needs some major repairs, Lum's Buick GMC suggest that you don’t fix them before you upgrade your Hillsboro ride:

• The cost of major repairs will lower how much you will ultimately get from the trade-in.
• The dealership has the expertise to easily fix major issues at a lower cost than you would spend out of pocket.
• Depending on the dealership, they might not do an in-depth inspection of your vehicle prior to finalizing the trade-in. The cost of the repairs may not even be deducted from the trade-in price.

Fix My Car Before Trade: What Else Can I Do?

If done correctly, fixing your vehicle before trading it in can be extremely beneficial. There are some other steps you can take, at no extra cost, to benefit you when you bring your car to the dealership:

1. Put together the most detailed list of your maintenance records possible.
2. Bring everything that came with the vehicle including keys, spare sets, mats, winter tires, etc.

Get the Most Of Your Trade at Lum's Buick GMC

Make sure you’re getting the most out of your trade when you work with the finance department at Lum's Buick GMC. We will work with you from start to finish so that you can get into our dealership and out in no time at all in a new or used model.