4 ways to increase your car’s value before selling

(BPT) - In the market to sell your car? Here are tips to help increase your car’s value in the eyes of potential buyers before putting your car on the market.

1. Gather your car’s records

Put together every document related to your car, including the title, insurance information and records of maintenance and repairs, to make sure you’re prepared for any questions the dealer may have. If you haven’t kept all the maintenance records but regularly use the same dealership or repair shop, they may be able to help provide you with a summary of your vehicle’s maintenance history. Showing you’ve kept up on vehicle maintenance may improve how your car is perceived by a buyer.

2. Clean it up

Nobody wants to buy a dirty car, so make sure you take your car in for a thorough car wash and clean it well, both inside and out. If you’re not the best at cleaning and vacuuming out the car yourself, consider taking it to a professional detailer to get your vehicle in tip-top shape before selling.

3. Tend to maintenance, recalls and minor repairs ey will appreciate knowing what needs attention and will trust you more for being up front with them.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had an oil change, tire rotation or inspection, bring your vehicle in now and keep a record of everything you have done. Make sure you’re up to date an any outstanding recalls for the vehicle. Spending a little bit of money now can make you more money in the future. If there are issues like dents, scratches or brake pads that should be replaced soon that you don’t have time or money to x right now, be honest with potential buyers.

4. Take great pictures

To make sure your car looks its best in photos, follow this advice:

• Use a newer smartphone to take pics, or a high-quality camera

• Wash the car right before your photo shoot

• Photograph in a park or an empty parking lot away from other cars, with no visual distractions. Don’t include people in photos.

• Take pictures during the daytime, either early morning or late afternoon. Make sure the sun is behind you, not behind the car.

• Photograph numerous angles: front, side, back, 3/4 angle (from driver’s front corner and passenger’s rear corner), inside the engine (be sure it’s cleaned) and the interior.

• Highlight special features and include the shifter, dashboard and odometer (with lighting on, so buyers can verify mileage).

• Use as many photos as you can on the platform where you’re selling.

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