- 1). Clean the exterior of your car, but go well beyond what can be cleaned in an automatic car wash. Make sure to clean every part of the car, including the wheels, fenders, bumpers and grille.
Clean the engine with a degreaser and a power washer, or take your car to a vehicle detailer to get a professional job. A clean car will make a positive first impression on any buyer. - 2). Clean the interior of your car. Vacuum the seats, floors and underneath the seats. Try to remove any stains, so the car looks as new as possible. If your car has a distinct smell from an air freshener or cigarette smoke, try putting a container of ground coffee beans in the car to absorb the smell. Use car cleaning products on any vinyl and leather in the interior to make the surfaces clean and shiny.
- 3). Take your car to a mechanic for inspection to find out if there are any current or impending problems. Any repair issues will decrease the value of your car, so you can choose to fix them before selling, or lower the price of your car. Presenting a potential buyer with a report from a mechanic will help you sell your car, although a buyer may want to get his own inspection before purchasing your car.
- 4). Prepare maintenance records if you did any repairs or maintenance to your car. Proving that you changed the oil regularly will increase the perceived value of your car. Providing proof of maintenance to potential buyers will help them make a decision about whether to buy your car and how much to offer.
- 5). Do research to correctly price your car. Refer to the car pricing tool link under "References" to help guide you in the right direction. The price of your car should reflect the year, model and condition of the car. You can also look online or in the classified section of the newspaper to see how other cars like yours are priced.
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