Maximise Your Trade-In Value

1. Clean your car
   Whether you give it a clean yourself, of even get it valeted, making sure you car is nice and clean can do wonders for its value.
2. Fix minor damage
   Make any small repairs before trading your car in, but choose them carefully as some may cost more than the value they add.
3. Make sure it's fully roadworthy
   Do everything necessary to make sure your car is 100% roadworthy. That means the engine and electrics should be a good working order and tyres should be above the legal limit. It’s also important that there are no cracks or chips in the windscreen.
4. Get your paperwork ready
   Gather together all your car’s paperwork, including the V5 Registration Certificate (often still called the logbook) and the most recent MOT certificate. If you’ve kept the receipts from any work done on your car over the years, a full service history can have a big impact on your valuation because it proves your car has been well maintained to the manufacturer’s standards.
5. Get an independent valuation
   It’s worth doing a little research on second hand values to give you some idea of what kind of valuation to expect. And although trading your car in does take away the hassle of selling the car yourself, it’s worth remembering that the dealer is unlikely to offer you as much as if you sold it privately.
6. Consider the timing
   Obviously, the younger your car is when it comes to selling, the more you’re likely to sell it for. However, the time of year makes a difference too. For example, a convertible is more desirable in the spring or summer, whilst a four-wheel drive may be easier for a dealer to sell in the winter.

They’re simple little tips, but if you stick to them you could see a big difference in the kind of money you get for your car