It amazes me how many vehicles I have went to go look at and potentially purchase that would have gotten my money if it had been properly cared for but sadly I walked away. Now many years of abuse add up quick when you go to sell your vehicle. The years of children occupying the rear area really shows through on the carpet and seats along with the years of traveling in different geographic locations showing abundantly in the wheel wells.
My purpose here is to point out a few glaringly obvious mistakes that even a semi-trained car buyer will be looking for when they come to see and hopefully purchase your used vehicle. Although I won’t be going into detail about detailing, I will be pointing out a few key areas that you may not have thought to tidy up before the sale.
Firstly, I will state the obvious things to do in preparation of selling your vehicle. Begin by washing your vehicle. While doing this note that this is not your usual rinse off wash. You need to actually get some kind of sponge that actually has some scrubbing properties and finally get all those dead bugs off of the front bumper. Do a good thorough job on this, if something needs scrubbing put in the elbow grease to actually get it off. This includes tree sap, rub marks that can usually be gotten off with soap but may need something like goo gone, those sorts of things.
Secondly, vacuum and wipe down the interior. Once again this is not going to be one of your 75 cent local car wash get it done before the time on the vacuum shuts off type of vacuuming jobs. You need to invest some time into this. Look at it this way, the interior of your car should be like your living room. Would you offer a stranger a seat on your couch if it had gum, sticky cola or pet hair on the couch or even carpet area around your couch? No, I didn’t think so, I know I would remain standing in that instance. Remember, some people may be coming to look at your vehicle during their lunch break. I highly doubt they will even test drive your vehicle if they have to sit in a sticky, cola stained seat. So, clean the interior and do it right!
Now you’ve got the interior looking nicer and the outside of your car is free from any dirt, grime, bugs, sap and any other non-paint things. So now we get on to the not-so obvious little things that make a big difference in what you want and what you are offered for your vehicle.
If you car is older than just a few years, it may be a good idea to spray your wheel wells (area of plastic right behind each tire, you know the areas that area usually the color of dirt from all the build up over the years). Now, keep in mind you need to tape off the surrounding painted areas and possible cover your wheels and tires. A trash bag works great to cover the entire tire from over spray and you can re-use the same trash bag for each one. Also you will need to scrub off any loose dirt and grim, even better if you can pressure wash this area! So, cover your tire and tape off what you need too and then take a can of flat black spray paint and spray the entire wheel well area back to black. You’re in luck here because all wheel wells are black and I say use flat black because you are not trying to make it look brand new, only clean! Now step back and be amazed how much nicer your rims and tires probably look than before you started because black contrasts much more nicely against chrome rims rather than the color of dirt or mud does!
Next lets address an often overlooked item. Your windshield wipers. Chances are if your car is older than just a few years then your actual windshield wipers (The arm and neck area) are not black anymore. Perhaps they are faded, rusted or even painted some weird contrasting color. You want these to be black again, it really does make the car look nicer from the front which is the way most people face cars to be sold. Once again take your flat black spray paint (or even gloss black if you prefer). Now the way I do it is just lay an old blanket or newspapers “under” the wipers on top of the windshield. You may want to tape off some things also that depends on your skill with a rattle-can (paint can). Also you either want to remove the wiper blades or cover them to avoid getting paint on them. One trick is to take a strip of masking tape and just fold it over the blade covering both sides with that one strip of tape, that would be sufficient. Last just spray them with a quick coat, let that dry for around 5 minutes and then spray a thicker coat. Now step back and observe how much nicer it looks as opposed to rusted or faded windshield wipers.
This next tip is purely from my experience, it may work or may not but it can’t hurt. Bumper stickers are your expressions of likes and dislikes in your life to other drivers, but what are the chances a potential buyer will like the same things you do. Plus after a while bumper stickers start to look hideous from drying in the sun and repeated car washes. If you plan on letting go of your vehicle by selling it prepare to let go of your bumper stickers. You may be surprised how many people did not vote for who you did almost 10 years ago, don’t you feel it’s time to un-brand your car? Sometimes you can pull them off, sometimes you have to pick at them and sometimes you may need to use a straight edge razor to scrape them off.
If they do not come off easily, then after you scrape or pick most of it off, run some goo gone over the area until it is completely gone. Also, be very careful if you have to scrape them with a staright edge razor if they are on painted surfaces. It would be best in this case to repeatedly use goo-gone as opposed to cutting into the paint, this is purely dependent on your skill and confidence. Now if they are on a painted bumper and your paint on your bumper is already peeling, do not try removing that one, better to leave that bumper sticker on there rather than pull more paint from the bumper. You will know this situation if it applies to you and your bumper.
Right about now your vehicle should be cleaner than it has been in quite a while, heck you may even fall back in love with it now! But, if not there are just a few more steps to complete your vehicle make-over and get ready to proudly show your car or truck.
Clean out your ashtray, vacuum it and then take it out and actually scrub the years of ash off of it. Next spray some smell-good in the car. Use either febreeze (which works well) or some other auto parts store brand. Avoid fruity or pungent smells as not everyone has the same taste as you. Stick to neutral or new car smell scents. The less the better in this case. Next address your trunk area. Open it up get your stuff out and even lift up the carpet and get the nuts, bolts, candy wrappers, old receipts, etc out from there. Do the same with your glove box and your center console. Also, while you are in the trunk check the air pressure in your spare and make sure you have your jack and all things necessary to lift up the vehicle. If by chance your neighbor borrowed your jack 6 months ago, now is the time to go reclaim it especially since you have an excuse now!
Another good idea is if your vehicle has a CD player to go ahead and put in a CD and leave it in there. That way potential buyers can check the radio as well as the CD player and not have their attention taken away by having to go and dig one up out of their vehicle. Also, while we are on the stereo make sure all speakers work. Use the balance and fade and make sure they are not blown (characterized by a speaker making a popping noise when the bass plays).
It could be a great investment to spend twenty dollars for two new door speakers as you never know if the person looking ranks tunes high on their list. Perhaps they commute daily and you don’t want to present a negative while they are looking at your car. The simple fact is people subconsciously keep a running tally of things that need fixing and this reflects badly on the price they offer. The less they have to put into the car after they buy the more you are apt to get at the sale.
Now that your vehicle is clean as a whistle pick a good place to park it. Depending on your time available you may not want to have to wash it every 3 days so avoid parking it under trees or near a dirt drive-way. That wraps up the basics of the hidden areas to address to help sell your vehicle. Good luck on selling your vehicle and remember you can “reverse” these tactics when you are looking for your new-used car by checking the things that you fixed on your car!