Steps to Selling Your Car to a Dealership

What Do Dealerships Look for When You Sell Your Car?

This may vary slightly from dealer to dealer, but generally speaking, many of them will be looking at the following factors:

• Year
• Make/Model
• Condition
• Mileage
• Desirability

In many cases, newer vehicles are preferred and more desirable than older cars because they usually have less miles, are in better condition, and offer many features that older cars can’t offer from infotainment to safety and much more.

Best Ways to Prepare Your Car for Sale

There are a couple of big steps you can take in order to not only prep your car to be sold but increase its re-sale value. First, having it professionally cleaned and detailed is a sure-fire way to raise its value and prepare it to hit the market. By detailing your car, you’re making sure the exterior is clean and shined, which can also add protection from the elements.

Additionally, detailing the exterior can remove surface scratches and little chips and dings in your vehicle. Cleaning the interior is just as important, as you’ll want to remove any debris that finds its way into the cracks of your seats, under the seats, under the floor, etc. Interior detailing is also comprised of cleaning upholstery, vacuuming, shining, and more.

Another major step you’ll want to take before selling your car is to make sure it’s up to date with all its maintenance. This includes routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, etc., more extensive maintenance, and autobody work. If you’re selling your car to us, our maintenance team will be happy to provide your car the service it needs.

Know the Value of Your Car

Give yourself an advantage whether you’re negotiating with a dealership or a private seller by knowing what your car’s value is. At our Honda dealership, you can find this out with AcceleRide, an online car-buying and selling program. After providing some basic information, you’ll receive a quote, and if you believe it’s fair, you can complete a trade-in transaction with our dealership.

There are multiple ways for you to get paid as well. You can either sell your car for cash, or you can get a trade credit from us toward the down payment on a newer car. Either way, you won’t be short on options!

Other Tips for Selling Your Car to a Dealership

Here are a few other things to keep in mind when you decide to sell your car to a dealership:

• Be realistic about your car
• Have your paperwork together
• Find a dealer that is a good fit for you

The better prepared you are before you sell the car, the better off you’ll be.