Deep Cleaning Your Vehicle Before Selling

Deep Cleaning Your Vehicle Before Selling

When planning to sell your vehicle, most owners spend a lot of time scrubbing down the exterior. After all, it's going to make the first impression on potential buyers. A well maintained paint job with shining chrome is a great selling point, but the decision to buy is a little more complicated than that. Of course the most important thing is that the vehicle runs well, but there are a few places you may not think of immediately to give a little more attention to that can really tip the scales in your favor. Our friends at Larry Hopkins Honda Auto Repair Service of Sunnyvale, CA have collected a few great suggestions that won't break the bank.

You may not notice it, but most cars have a distinctive odor. It may be from the dinner you picked up a few nights ago. It may be from your work. It may even be from that time you spilled and coffee on the floor. These are all things that can be major turn-offs to a potential buyer. Cleaning the interior of the car from top to bottom with a neutral-smelling cleaner can go a long way.

Clean your floor mats. People have a tendency to look down a lot. If you have dirty floor mats, it will be noticed. If you vacuum them and they still look dirty, shampoo them. If that doesn't work, replace them with inexpensive new ones.

Just like the floor mats, it's important to pay attention to your vehicle's tires. Shining them up is a fast and inexpensive way to make an impression. Look at reviews online to find a brand that will last a while without eating away at the rubber. 

The last suggestion is to open up the hood and check the condition of your engine. Wipe off any dirt, remove any stray leaves or pine needles, and shine it up a bit just in case you're asked to show it off.

Hopefully by this point you've made an impression. People in general can be judgmental, and the condition of your car speaks volumes. Spending a little extra time to get into the details of cleaning will make a difference and who knows? It may even give you an edge when negotiating the price!

Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: autoblog.com