Should I Fix My Car Before Trading In?

If you’re interested in saving a bit of money on your next Kansas City ride, consider trading in your current vehicle! You can estimate your trade-in value right from our website and usually get a sizable chunk of money to put towards your next vehicle. If you’ve decided to trade in your car, you may be wondering if you should make any repairs before bringing it to the dealership–after all, you’ll want it to be in the best condition possible to keep the trade-in value high. However, we generally caution against making major expensive repairs that may end up costing more than the trade-in value of the car. The team at Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram has more details on the trade-in process in the guide below–check it out!

Fix My Car Before Trade: What Not to Fix

In general, if there’s something majorly wrong with your car, we recommend not fixing it before you trade it in. This might sound counterintuitive since we also said to make sure the car is in the best shape possible, but there are three important reasons behind it:

• Major repairs are expensive, and you may end up having to pay more than your trade-in’s value to get everything fixed. No matter what, making major repairs will take away from the amount you get for your car.
• Dealerships like Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram have the tools and the expertise on hand to fix major issues at a lower cost than you would pay out of pocket–that’s how we make profit from buying and reselling used cars.
• Depending on how noticeable the problems are, the dealership may pass it over and not end up deducting the repair costs from your trade-in value.

Fix My Car Before Trade: What to Fix

It’s not a good idea to make major fixes to your Blue Springs vehicle before trading it in, but what can you fix? You’ll want to take care of any minor scratches, dings, or imperfections that can be easily repaired as well as sprucing up the interior and exterior to the best of your ability. In short, you want your vehicle to be as presentable as possible without spending huge amounts of money. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of what you can do, mostly from the comfort of your own garage:

• Clean out the inside- dispose of any garbage, take out personal items, and clean the windows & carpets.
• Wash the car- whether you decide to do it yourself or go to a professional, you should wash the car to get rid of any marks and stains.
• Fix any scratches- if they’re minor, you can try to fix car paint scratches at home.
• Wax your car- after washing your car, you can wax it to give a shiny finish.
• Check headlamps- make sure they’re working properly, and replace them if needed.
• Check the fluids (brake & transmission), oil, radiator, and windshield-washer- make sure they’re up to date, so the dealer will know you’ve been keeping up with basic maintenance.

What Else Can I Do Before Trading in My Car?

Once you’ve gotten your car into the best shape you can, bring it by the dealership, and let’s get started on the trade-in process! Make sure you have complete or at least recent maintenance records that you have neatly organized, and bring everything that came with the car, including the mats, keys, and any special seasonal tires. If you can’t find an essential item, let us know, and we may be able to replace it for you.

Trade in Your Car at Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Today!

If you have any questions about your trade-in, feel free to contact our office! You can also stop by our dealership to talk to a member of our finance team in person, and we’ll be happy to help you out–we’re conveniently located near Independence.