When a potential customer sees your car for the first time, they must experience love at first sight. If this occurs, all you have to do now is add arguments to support that attitude and persuade him that you are selling him precisely what he requires at a reasonable price.
However, for the long-awaited conquest to occur, you will need to invest time and money, similar to those home remodeling shows in which owners transform their old home into a space without partitions to sell it for a fortune. While always considering the final sale price to ensure that the investment is reasonable. The first step is to capture good photos, which are better taken outside than indoors and on sunny days rather than cloudy days.
It's time to make the car more appealing to transform it into a desirable item and maximize the profit from its sale. However, it is helpful to consult the Internet ahead of time to see how many cars similar to the one you want to return to the market are being bought and sold for, to establish an economic margin of maneuver, because it does not appear to make much sense to spend 3,000 euros on improving a model that can only be sold for 2,000 euros.
What can be done to improve the appearance on the outside?
Obviously, a used car buyer understands that he will not be getting a brand new car, but he will want to experience that feeling. The first step is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the body. Nobody buys a car with a huge dent or scratch unless he can fix it himself; if you want to sell the car for a reasonable price, you'll have to address those flaws. However, we must consider the expense of restoration, as sheet metal and painting are among the most costly.
It's time to give it a nice wash once the bodywork has been repaired, or at least to the extent that the budget and final sale price allow. Begin in a tunnel and work your way out by hand to any stubborn stains. Remember to add a coat of wax to the veneer so that it shines like new. The tires are included in this cleaning procedure:
- Spend some time on them.
- Use high-pressure water to eliminate any debris.
- Buff them with a brush until they shine.
If the car's paint is dull, a polishing treatment, which is far less expensive than repainting, could restore it to its former glory, provided that there are no layers of paint beneath it that have lost their lustre.
These activities could be done at home depending on each person's competence and experience. Still, it is always advisable to go to a paint shop and have the polishing done by a professional.
After the outside pieces have been washed, they must be inspected to ensure that they are in good working order. The idea is to bring back the car's lost youth. Here's what you need to look at:
Hubcaps and tires Buyers are put off by a car with worn tires. You don't have to spend a lot of money to replace them: pick a brand that provides good value for money and make it clear that they are "brand new." Replace all four hubcaps if one or more are broken or missing. These could be reconditioned if it has alloy wheels instead of hubcaps; however, the cost may be prohibitive depending on their condition.
Lights and headlights Are the illumination in good working order, and are there no burned-out bulbs? Check the headlights for damage; they should not be broken. If the vehicle is older, pay attention to the headlights; if they are made of polycarbonate, they may become opaque or yellowish over time or due to exposure to the sun's rays and oxidation. Fix them by polishing them - for roughly 100 euros in a professional studio - and they'll look brand new.
Brushes Although it may appear to be a minor matter, the windshield wiper blades are in excellent working order is an added point that the buyer will value because it demonstrates that the owner has taken good care of his vehicle.
Antenna and car logo Replace any car brand logos or radio antennas that other people's pals have maintained as much as possible. To save money, look for accessories in a junkyard.
Plates for cars. They are not to be broken, beaten, or scraped in any way. If necessary, replace them, which costs around 90 euros but improves the vehicle's appearance.
How to make the interior look better
Perhaps the inside appearance of the car is almost as significant as the exterior. After all, it is the most "lived" aspect, and no one wants to sit behind the wheel of a dirty car or one that shows symptoms of being poorly kept.
First, a thorough vacuuming and cleaning of the upholstery are required: first, remove anything from the glove compartment or other holes and make them disappear. Interior decorations such as stickers and other decals should also be removed.
Use appropriate products to clean all surfaces and polish plastic parts. Special products can be used to restore the original appearance of the dashboard, door inside trim, steering wheel, and gear lever. Remember to vacuum the trunk: remove all of the items you carry inside and keep the necessities.
Two other suggestions: replace the mats - they are typically inexpensive, or if not, look for a used one in good shape in a scrap yard - and do not use an air freshener unless necessary, since you may mistakenly believe you are attempting to mask a foul odor.
Please include all supporting paperwork.
It is preferable to show the adequately sealed maintenance book and invoices for the operations performed during the visits to the workshop to certify the car's mechanical condition. These records will assist the buyer in gaining an understanding of how you have cared for the vehicle and what treatments it will require in the future owing to the wear of certain parts (for example, the clutch or the shock absorbers).
Establishing that the car has slept in the garage adds considerably, as does proving that the timing belt has been replaced (if the model's miles are high): the timing belt should be changed every 70,000 or 100,000 miles, depending on the car. The potential buyer will be more at ease in older vehicles if the car has lived in a dry climate, rather than coastal towns or surroundings with frequent or severe rain, to minimize oxidation concerns.
We are Car Buyer is a reliable name for Best Car Buyers in London
