Should I Fix My Truck Before Trading In?

Thinking about trading in your current car for some cash or as a down payment for a new or used model from Security Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram? If your vehicle’s suffered cosmetic or mechanical damage in the past, you’re probably wondering, “Should I fix my car before trading in?” This is a complex question, however, the finance experts and service technicians at our dealership have the answers!

We advise Long Island drivers who are planning to trade in their vehicle to fix any minor damage, like paint touch ups or scratches, and make sure your vehicle’s interior cabin is clean. Any issues that are more major than simple clean-ups or touch ups should be avoided as you might end up paying more in repairs than your trade-in value will cover. Find out more about how to trade in your car with our Amityville car experts below! 

What SHOULDN’T I Fix In My Car Before Trading In?

If you’re still thinking to yourself, “what should I fix in my car before trading in?”, we understand the confusion. In terms of major repairs, any fixes that will cost more than your vehicle’s estimated trade-in value should be ignored. We here at Security Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram advise you not to fix these problem areas before trading in for three reasons: 

• Depending on the dealership you go to, they might not do a detailed inspection of your car before finalizing the trade-in, so they might not deduct the cost of these repairs from your trade-in price. 
• Dealerships have the expertise and tools to easily fix major issues at a much lower cost than you will spend out of pocket. This is how dealerships are able to make profit from buying and reselling used cars!
• Major repairs will be expensive, which will lower how much you will actually get from the trade-in.

What SHOULD I Fix In My Car Before Trading In?

Now that you know what not to fix, what can you fix in your Massapequa vehicle and is it worth the cost? While you can fix minor damage to at least make your car presentable in hopes to maintain or increase the trade-in value, dealerships can deduct the value for money they will spend for reconditioning just in case there are major issues that aren’t apparent. Take a look at this non-exhaustive list of things you can do to improve your car’s appearance before taking it in to Security Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for a trade-in:

• Check the Fluids (Brake & Transmission), Oil, Radiator, and Windshield-Washer: Make sure they’re up to date, so the dealer will know you’ve been keeping up with basic maintenance 
• Check Headlamps: Make sure they’re working properly and replace them if needed
• Clean Out the Inside: Dispose of any garbage, take out personal items, and clean the windows and carpets 
• Wash the Car: Whether you decide to do it yourself or go to a professional, you should wash the car
• Wax Your Car: After washing your car, you can wax it to give a shiny finish 
• Fix Any Scratches: If the scratches are minor, you can try to DIY remove them

Trade In Your Vehicle at Security Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Amityville Today! 

Now that you have a better idea of whether or not you should fix your car before trading in, we here at Security Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram recommend you take advantage of our Value Your Trade tool to get an estimate of your car’s worth before trading it in at our dealership! Have any further questions about financing your new vehicle purchase or calculating your monthly car payments? Contact us today!