In the past decade, the average length of vehicle ownership is about 6.5 years, which means 6 years and a half of mileage accumulation, wear and tear, and depreciation…

Whether you are trading in cars or you want to sell your car privately and get a new one, you still want to get the highest possible return on your investment.

Below are some tips to increase the value of your car when you resell it…

 

  • Keep all the paperwork

 

Whenever you do some work on your car, whether it was periodic maintenance or repairing some mechanical problem, you should keep maintenance receipts and all the records of all the work you’ve done either in a special folder or by using one of the online applications that provide this service. 

Carrying out periodic maintenance measures is essential in keeping your car in top shape. Plus, it adds value to it when you want to resell it because they show that your car is in safe hands and not neglected.

Here are the top things that you should always keep an eye on:

  • Oil change

If you went to a dealership to get your oil changed, keep the receipt. This would be helpful when you cash your car as most buyers will ask about the last time you’ve changed the oil or how often did you change it.

Usually, an oil and filter change should take place when the mileage hits 5000 Km and above. However, it is recommended to check your oil level at least once a month. And get the repair done at the very first sign of a leak.  

  • Battery replacement

The car’s battery is responsible for many important tasks like starting the engine, powering the computer, and the lights. The age of a car battery differs from one car to another, but normally your car battery needs to be replaced after 3 years.

  • Brake pads

The average brake life is approximately 100000 kilometers. However, when you feel like the breaks are beginning to fade, you should replace them immediately.

  • Lights

Headlights, turn signals, and parking lights should always be working. Changing a bulb in your car will cost you way less than selling your car with a damaged light. 

 

  • Keep your car looking nice

 

It is a big selling point when the car looks nice, wash your car regularly and make sure it is clean inside out.

Try to avoid big dents or scratches in the chassis, and wax it now and then, because waxing makes it always look great, and it protects the exterior. Moreover, always use sunshades to avoid damages to the car’s interior.

 

  • Make sure your car runs smoothly

 

Here we are talking about the tiny details in the vehicle. Make sure every button inside your car is fully functioning. 

Ensure that each window goes up and down and that the trunk releases as it should. Besides, look for the problem when the check engine light is on, and fix it, don’t just erase it. You should also verify that everything under the hood is running perfectly so that there will be no clouds on the horizon.

 

 

  • Tires 

 

 

If you are selling your car with bad tires on it, keep in your mind that this will affect the sell value. However, getting new tires before selling the car is not a smart idea.

 

If your tires are not completely worn, it would be enough to wash the wheel and inflate the tires to the proper pressure.

 

 

  • Watch the mileage 

 

 

It’s like a general rule, the less distance it travels, the more your car’s value increases. It is best to sell your car before it hits the 170,000 km mark. However, if the number on your mileage is already big, try to focus on the special features of your car, and the condition of its interior and exterior.  

 

Selling your car may sound an easy thing to do, but in fact, it also has risky aspects… some are dangerous behaviors like using the pretext of a test drive to kidnap the buyer, or some scammers making an appointment to check out your car then try to steal it.

 

Others are not that dangerous but still will affect you, like dealerships giving you a price that is much lower than what your car deserves.

 

Before selling your car make sure to do some research on the prices of the market, choose the right time to sell it. In a nutshell, ensure that all factors are teaming in harmony to get the most you can.

 

Author: Mohamad Omary
Mohamad Omary is the Managing Director of Car Wise. Car Wise is a car buying company that has established itself as the go-to partner for those who want to quickly sell their used cars in the UAE; reaching 20,000 satisfied customers with their easy car selling process and excellent customer service.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the most convenient way to sell a car in Dubai, visit CarWise.