New Wheels For Less: How To Get A Good Deal On Your Old Clunker

If you have an old vehicle that you want to sell or trade, you may think you have to accept the first offer you find. However, this is not always the case. There are many tactics you can use to ensure you get the most for your car, truck, or SUV no matter how old it is. Here are some of the best tips for getting the price you want on the car you have.

Clean Your Vehicle before the Sale or Trade in

Cleaning your vehicle lets a buyer or dealer see your vehicle as if it were new. It also provides a blank slate upon which a buyer can cast their vision of the vehicle. When cleaning your vehicle, make sure to scrub both the inside and the outside to make sure there is no dust, dirt, or grime. You should also wash and scrub the tires to make them look shiny and black. It may also be a good idea to use a deodorizer to get rid of stale smells.

Private Party Sales Usually Result in Higher Prices

If you insist on getting top dollar for your old car, it may be a good idea to sell it to a private party. Even if the car isn’t in the best condition, a buyer may want the car for parts. It should still have plenty of value on the open market even if to you it is just an eyesore on the lawn.

Why Trade In Your Old Car?

Car dealers may have specials where they will guarantee a minimum trade in amount for your vehicle regardless of what condition it is in. This may be true even if that amount is more than what your car is worth. It is also possible that a car dealer will give you a higher value on paper for your vehicle just to make the numbers work on the sale of a new vehicle. Going to St. George for new cars, you’ll probably find certified pre-owned vehicles in the lineup. This usually means the car is backed by the manufacturer and are just a few years old with low miles. If you can trade one in like this, you’ll definitely get more bang for your buck. Finally, trading your vehicle may make sense if you are required to put money down as the value of the car will count as the down payment.

Other Tactics to Negotiate More for Your Old Car

If you have a car that was popular in previous decades or is still sought after for restoration projects, you may be able to get more than you otherwise would. For instance, a 1957 Chevy is still popular today as well as cars such as the Cobra or anything that would have been called a muscle car back in the day. Decide the best features or look it provides and use it as a selling point.

Another option is to sell the car for parts instead of selling the car as a whole. This may mean that you sell the motor to one buyer, the frame to another, and the gas tank to a third person. If done correctly, you can get more from selling the parts as you would from selling the car as a whole.

Finally, you may be able to increase the value of the car if you can get it to run. For instance, a buyer may offer you $500 if it doesn’t run but pay $1,000 if it does. This is because a car that runs is less expensive to ship and generally costs less to repair or maintain going forward.

Getting top dollar for your car is possible even if it is old or doesn’t run well. As long as you are realistic about what its value is, know where you can go to get the most money, and are patient looking for the right deal, there is nothing stopping you from getting maximum value when you sell or trade it.