How to make your car worth more before selling it

By Ané Theron

Spending a bit of time and money sprucing up your pre-loved wheels can easily justify a slightly higher asking price. If your car is in poor condition, the buyer will try and negotiate a lower price, or walk away. So if you think it isn't worth doing those minor fix-ups, believe us, it is.

1. Give it a good wax

If you're car's paint job is dull and faded, get waxing! Restoring your car's colour to its former, shiny glory will go a long way in making it more attractive to buyers. When you wash your car, abstain from using harsh chemicals like dish soap. Always use the proper car shampoo.

2. Get those headlights clear & bright

Dull and dirty headlights are easily corrected, and make a big difference to how well your car is perceived by buyers. There's a wide array of cleaning products on the market that will transform those dingy headlights to bright and clear ones. While you're at it, have any bulbs replaced that aren't up to scratch.

3. Glossy tyres

Prospective buyers love shiny, black tyres, and these add plenty of value to a car's overall appearance. Clean out the dust and dirt, have the rims fixed if they are scratched or chipped, and polish the rubber to look glossy and new.

4. Sort out the interior

If those doormats are dingy or full of holes, perhaps replacing them is the only option - but it won't cost the earth, fortunately.  If they're not in terrible shape, clean them thoroughly.

Where the rest of the cabin is concerned, it depends what the general state of affairs is. If the upholstery is grimy and has seen better days, you're going to need a wet/dry vacuum cleaner for a deep clean, but this is an expensive item to buy. If you can't borrow one from a friend, a proper, intensive valet (about R850 and upwards) will be a better bet. As for the roof lining - grubby fingermarks are very unattractive, and getting the experts to sort it out is probably a better idea than making a mess of it yourself. Tears in the leather seats? Get a quote to have it fixed, but this can be quite costly.

If you do decide to jump in and do a complete DIY valet, be sure that you have designated products for each area. DO NOT use Handy Andy or other household products in your car! These are too harsh and will do more harm than anything else, and/or leave a nasty residue.

5. Have your paperwork in order

Your neatly filed and kept maintenance and warranty documents show that you've been taking car of your car. Have the pre-sales check inspection documents handy if your car underwent such a procedure. The prospective buyer wants to see it all. Fixed the brakes recently? Had the clutch replaced? If you have, show the buyer.

6. Fix the little dings and things

If you can repair little dents, chips and scratches, do so, unless you want to see the buyer haggle down the asking price considerably. And make sure there are no mystery warning lights glowing on the dashboard when the buyer turns on the car!

Sort these all of these things out beforehand, and you can easily see your car's value increase by a couple of thousands of Rands - seriously!