How to Prepare Your Car for Sale | Sarasota FL

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How to Prepare Your Car for Sale in Sarasota, FL

Not sure where to sell your car? Gettel Hyundai of Sarasota would be happy to take it off your hands and give you a great price for it! Interested in a new ride? You can trade in your vehicle for a new or used model on our lot! Either way, you can discover your car’s Kelley Blue Book® value in minutes by visiting our website. If you choose to trade in, this value can be applied toward a vehicle of your choosing. Does your car need a little refining before it gets showcased? Continue reading to learn how to enhance important characteristics of your ride.

Preparing Your Car for Sale

There’s a laundry list of factors that you should consider before selling your car. Some characteristics are out of your control, such as its age, mileage and desirability. However, where you can potentially make a positive impact on your vehicle is in its overall condition. Getting a little dirty and putting in some elbow grease can make a difference when it comes to the final payout. Follow the steps below to transform your car to look its very best.

Interior Cleaning and Detailing

Hiring a professional for cleaning and detailing could break the bank. Instead, you could pull out your own cleaning supplies if you’re looking to save money. Not sure where to start? Focus on these core areas:

  • Remove all personal items and trash from the car.
  • Vacuum the carpet and upholstery thoroughly.
  • If the floor mats are stained, you can wash them with carpet shampoo.
  • Wash the windows and windshield inside and out.
  • Pull twigs and leaves out from the area where the wipers sit.
  • Check the trunk for any belongings.
  • Ensure that the spare tire, car jack and tools are all in their proper places.
  • Want to take it to the next level? Polish your tires and rims for extra sparkle and shine.

Exterior Refurbishments

When you own a vehicle for a while, you can’t help the small scratches and dents it may collect over time. Unfortunately, these small imperfections could have a significant impact on your car’s overall value and appearance. For small-scale damage, you may be able to repair it yourself with tools from your local auto parts store. However, if you notice extensive damage that needs professional attention, make sure to avoid overspending on repairs. If the costs continue to rack up, your best option may be to sell your vehicle as-is.

Minor Repairs and Replacements

Do you have a broken windshield wiper or burnt out headlight? If the issues are small enough, it’s in your best interest to fix them before you decide to sell your vehicle. Again, if the repair estimates are costly, we highly recommend selling the car as-is.

Removing Customizations

We all collect fun bumper stickers and add accessories to our cars the longer we own them. But if you decide to sell your car, you’ll want to return your model to its original state as closely as possible. If you made any major changes to more permanent features of your car (such as the paint color), just give us a heads up when you bring in your vehicle for sale.

Ready to sell your car? If you have additional questions about the process, don’t hesitate to contact us! Gettel Hyundai of Sarasota is located at 3500 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239, serving the automotive needs of our neighbors from Venice.