Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

If you are looking into trading in your current vehicle in the Mercer County area, you may be wondering, “Should I fix my car before trading in?” There is not a firm yes or no to this question, but the finance and service team at Mercedes-Benz of Princeton has some insights to offer. We recommend fixing minor issues, like scratches or paint touch ups, and making sure your car’s clean to get the best trade in value. It’s important to note that you are better off without fixing any major issues that will cost more than your trade in value. Learn more about what to do and what not to do with Mercedes-Benz of Princeton below!

Do I Fix My Car Before Trade: What Not To Do

If your current Princeton ride requires any major repairs, Mercedes-Benz of Princeton advises you not to fix them before trading in for three reasons:

1. Major repairs will be expensive and decrease the ultimate profit you get from the trade-in.
2. Dealerships have the expertise and tools to fix major issues at a lower cost than you will spend out of pocket.
3. Depending on the dealership you go to, they might not do a detailed inspection of your car before finalizing, so they might not deduct the cost of these repairs from your trade-in value.

Do I Fix My Car Before the Trade?: What to Do

So what should you fix in your Hamilton ride, and is it worth the trouble? It may be worthwhile to fix minor things in hopes of making your car presentable and 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. Here is a list of things you can do to help improve your car’s appearance before taking it in for a trade-in:

• Clean out the inside – dispose of any garbage, take out personal items, and clean the windows & carpets
• Wash the car – whether you decide to do it yourself or go to a professional, you should wash the car to get rid of any marks and stains
• Fix any scratches – if they’re minor, you can try to fix car paint scratches at home.
• Wax your car – after washing your car, you can wax it to give a shiny finish
• Check headlamps – make sure they’re working properly and replace them if needed
• 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

Doing the bare minimum to make a good first impression may cause the dealership to believe the car has been well maintained and taken care of. This is obviously a plus for you, it’s important to be realistic and consider if you are capable of doing DIY minor repairs. If you fix something minor and the fix isn’t done properly, the professionals at dealerships will likely notice and subtract that from your trade-in price.

Do Fix My Car Before Trade In?: Other Ideas

There are a few other things you can do to really prove that your vehicle is valuable, and show the dealership that it is indeed well taken care of. Here are those ideas:

• Complete or at least recent maintenance records neatly put together
• Have everything that came with the car when you show up to the dealership, including the mats, keys, and winter tires

Should I Fix My Car Before Trading in at Mercedes-Benz of Princeton?

Now that you know the answer to this question, it’s time to take the next step toward prepping your car. When you’re ready, use our car trade-in value calculatorto start the process today! Visit us at our Lawrenceville location, and we can help you get started! If you have any follow up questions after learning if you should fix your car before trading in, feel free to contact us. Be sure to explore our inventory to find your next vehicle. Interested in selling your car to the dealership?