Should I Fix My Car Before Trading it in?

If you’re looking to get a new vehicle near Los Angeles, you are probably considering trading in your car. Trading in is an easy way to apply funds to your new vehicle. You are trading in with the intention of getting a great deal, so you may be asking, “ Should I fix my car before trading it in?” 

How do you boost your resale value without breaking the bank ? Some fixes are worth the investment, while others are not. Ocean Honda of Whittier will guide you through the process below.

Get the Most for Your Trade

These are a couple hacks to get the best resale value in West Covina for your vehicle without draining your wallet. 

• Wash and detail the car: Wash and wax the exterior so that it is visually appealing. Also be sure to clean the interior to have the same effect. 
• Replace headlights or clean cloudy headlights: Replace your burned out bulbs. If your headlights aren’t shining bright, you can actually clean them with whitening toothpaste. Wipe it on the lens cover with a rag and rinse it off with water to get them good as new
• Touch-up scratches: Touch-up paint can fix small surface scratches. 
• Replace worn wiper blades: If it’s been a while since you replaced the wiper blades, consider replacing them. 
• Refill or change fluids: Inspect the oil, radiator fluid, wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. Replace all old or contaminated fluid. Make sure there is enough of each fluid.

These tips will help you drive off the lot on your way to Corona with a good deal.

Is it Worthwhile to Handle Major Repairs?

Avoid expensive major repairs so that you maximize what you get for the vehicle while minimizing the amount you put in. The steps above are usually worthwhile, but it is best to leave any significant repairs to the dealership. We can take care of them at a much lower cost at our Whittier service center. 

Contact Ocean Honda of Whittier for More Information

These general rules will help you during the car buying process. Simple fixes are an easy, inexpensive way to boost your trade-in value, more in-depth work is usually not worth the investment. Use these rules next time you are asking, “Should I fix my car before trading it in?”If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us and our staff will be happy to assist you.