Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

Planning on trading in your current vehicle for a new MINI Cooper at MINI of Warwick? If so, you are probably wondering, “Should I fix my car before trading in?” While you should take care of any minor repairs, major work should be avoided, as it will cost you more to fix than it would the dealership. Learn more about how to get the best trade-in value for your car in this guide from MINI of Warwick!

Getting the Best Trade-In Value: Can You Trade-In a Damaged Car?

Should I fix my car before trading in? Can I trade-in a damaged car? Small repairs, a little touch-up here and there, and making sure the vehicle is clean, will go a long way toward you getting the best trade-in value. You shouldn’t bother with any major repairs for three reasons:

1. Major repairs can get expensive and will lower how much you will get from the trade-in.
2. Dealerships have the trained technicians and advanced equipment needed to fix major issues at a lower cost than you’d have to pay. This is one way that dealerships can make a profit from buying and reselling used cars.
3. Depending on the Providence, RI-area dealership you go to, you may not get a detailed inspection of your car before finalizing the trade-in, so the cost of repairs may not be deducted from your trade-in price.

Can you trade in a damaged car? As long as there isn’t extensive damage like a missing bumper, trading in a car with body damage shouldn’t be a problem. As noted above, a dealership will be able to repair the vehicle at a much more cost-effective price than you would if you took it to a Cranston, RI or Newport, RI body shop.

Getting the Best Trade-In Value: What to Fix

Whether you are trading in a car that is in good shape or trading in a car with body damage, you should fix minor things to make your car as presentable as possible. This can maintain or increase the trade-in value. Take a look at some of the things you can do to spruce up a car before taking it in for a trade-in:

• Clean the interior of the vehicle, dispose of any garbage, remove personal items, and clean the windows and carpets
• Whether you decide to do it yourself or go to a professional, you should wash the car to help it look its best
• Fix minor scratches with touch-up paint or a car scratch remover solution
• Wax your car to give it a shiny finish
• Make sure that the headlamps are working properly and replace them if needed
• Check the brake, transmission, oil, and coolant levels, and top off or replace them as needed.

Your goal is to deliver a car that looks clean and well taken care of. If you are planning DIY repairs, make sure that they are done properly, as the professionals at dealerships will likely notice and subtract that from your trade-in price. While trading in a car with body damage can be tricky, if the vehicle is clean and well-taken care of you should be able to get a fair trade-in value.

What Else Can I Do Before Trading In My Car?

Some other steps you should take before trading in a car include:

• Collect all maintenance and service records.
• Have everything included with the car when you arrive at the dealership, including the mats, keys, and winter tires.
• List any outstanding features or accessories that came standard or were added to the vehicle.

Trade In Your Car at MINI of Warwick Today!

Should I fix my car before trading in? Can you trade in a damaged car? Now that you know the answer to these questions, use our car trade-in value calculator to get started today! You’ll find that trading in a car at MINI of Warwick is easy and hassle-free, and you can apply the trade-in value toward the purchase of a brand new MINI Cooper. If you have any further questions about the trade-in process at our dealership in Warwick, feel free to contact us.