Maintenance Tips to Adopt Before Selling a Used Car

Regular servicing and upkeep of a vehicle by car owners ensure that the vehicle delivers seamless performance. The underlying issues of the vehicle can also be identified and repaired timely. This prevents the issue from escalating making it irreparable or expensive. When car owners want to sell the used vehicle, they must undertake some necessary measures to ensure that the vehicle is prepared for showcasing to a potential buyer.

Carefully Wash the Vehicle

The car seller must assess the look of the vehicle and wash it to make it more presentable. The vehicle must be thoroughly washed but make sure that the products used are not harsh on the exterior and interior surfaces. One way to ensure this is to purchase cleaners made for cleaning cars instead of alternatives such as detergents used at home.

The vehicle’s temperature has an important role in car wash so it must be checked. If the vehicle’s exterior is hot, then it is better to allow it to cool down before beginning the wash. This will prevent the vehicle from forming water stains that may be formed after the soap and water dry faster due to the heat. It is also better to clean the vehicle in sections so that the soap is removed before it dries.

Cleaning the Interior

The upholstery and in-cabin amenities are sensitive so they must not clean with products that have ammonia, chlorine, bleach and hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals can fade and disintegrate the upholstery of the cabin. Moreover, the touchscreens installed inside have an anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coating that must be protected. The cleaner must be sprayed on an electrostatic cloth and then the screens must be cleaned with the cloth.

The car seats take ample time to dry so when washing the seat use minimal water so that it does not sink into the cushions of the seat. If the water is retained in the car seats for a long time, they will begin to develop a mold and exude an unpleasant odor inside the cabin.  Use a vacuum cleaner for the floor and hard-to-reach corners to remove dust.

Remove Physical and Mechanical Problems

The vehicle must be closely inspected to spot physical and mechanical damages that may require immediate attention. The inspection can be conducted thoroughly by a mechanic who will also advise the car seller regarding the best practices. Some repairs will not be costly, but they can improve the look of the vehicle, so it is better to get these fixtures. The car seller must determine if the expensive repairs must be undertaken or not by evaluating if the cost will be covered by the resale price.

The performance of a car’s battery is impacted during extreme weather impacts the battery life a well. Car owners must check the battery to determine if it requires maintenance or if it needs to be replaced. The car buyers will take the vehicle for a test drive and mechanical issues with the engine, battery, steering control, brake pads, alignment and gear shifts will be analyzed.

Check the Tyres

For better handling, stability and maintaining a good fuel economy the tyre must be in top condition.  Underinflated tyres can cause problems during the journey as well so the car owners must check the required air pressure. Check the condition of the tyres by checking the treads using a tread depth gauge. The tyre will be worn out if the depth is beyond 1.6mm so, it must be replaced before meeting the buyer.

When brakes are applied the brake pad and brake rotor come in contact with materials such as iron, grime, carbon, etc. Clean the brake dust on the wheel using a damp sponge and cold water to remove stains created after exposure to the sun.

Maintaining the Paperwork of the Vehicle

The paperwork of the vehicle is also important as it consists of valuable insights for the car buyer. A car seller must ascertain that the paperwork of the vehicle is complete and up to date. The buyer must be provided the service history of the vehicle as well so that they can examine the repairs, maintenance, servicing and replacement efforts. If the vehicle has all original parts this will help the seller get a better price however, if an original part was replaced this will give the buyer a valid reason to lower the price. It can be tricky for car sellers but providing the necessary paperwork will instill trust in the car buyer. They will be encouraged to complete the purchase after having full disclosure about the vehicle.

Conclusion

The condition of the vehicle will influence the decision of a car buyer therefore it must be ascertained that adequate efforts are taken to improve it. A well-maintained vehicle will be able to get a fair market price with minimum hassle during the car selling process. Maintenance is a big contributor towards a pleasant car selling experience.