Whether you’re planning on selling your old car privately or trading it in at a dealership, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to give your vehicle a deep cleaning beforehand. After all, the cleanliness of your car won’t change the mileage or objective condition, and a proper detail can cost several hundreds of dollars if you go to a reputable detailer.
So should you detail your car before selling it? Yes, absolutely! Keep reading to understand why.
A Clean Car Looks & Rides Better
The reality is, first impressions matter. A vehicle’s worth can greatly increase if the buyer thinks its previous owner took care of it. It also gives the buyer or dealer peace of mind knowing that they won’t have to clean up someone else’s mess after purchasing your vehicle.
You may know your car, truck, or SUV is in great condition, but potential buyers could get the wrong impression if the exterior or interior of your vehicle has noticeable flaws. A few scuffs on the paint job or stains on the seat may not send the right message, and they could even make your vehicle appear to be worth less than it actually is.
Alternatively, if your vehicle does have some minor mechanical issues or a lot of miles on it, presenting it at its best gives you more bargaining power than if you were to sell it as-is.
The difference a full detail can make really speaks for itself:
Detailing Your Car Can Increase Its Resale Value
A squeaky clean car doesn’t just make a great impression—it can actually sell faster and at a higher price. Especially when trading in, you may think detailing your vehicle is unnecessary because dealers will probably clean it themselves anyway and they’ll be able to tell what your car’s actual value is beneath the shiny exterior and freshly vacuumed seats.
Though both of those things are true, a thorough detailing job can be what increases your car’s value from good to very good. This can translate to being offered hundreds or thousands of dollars more than you were expecting. In fact, most used car sellers can expect to see a 200% or more return on investment for the cost of a complete detail.
With those odds, detailing your car before selling or trading in is really a no-brainer!
Get Your Used Car Detailed Today
If you’re looking to increase the resale value of your car and sell it as quickly as possible, get it professionally detailed at Rick’s. We offer a full range of detailing services and convenient online scheduling. Book an appointment with our team today!
