How to Prepare Your Car for a Trade-In

A little preparation before a trade-in appraisal can noticeably improve the offer you receive, often for less than the value it adds.

Clean it thoroughly

A full interior and exterior detail is inexpensive relative to the impression it makes. Appraisers form a quick overall impression of a car's condition, and a clean car reads as better cared for even if the mechanical condition is identical to a dirty one.

Handle small, cheap fixes

• Replace burnt-out bulbs and wiper blades
• Top off fluids
• Fix minor issues like a loose interior trim piece if it's a quick, inexpensive repair
• Address a check-engine light if the fix is simple and cheap — an active warning light can spook an appraiser into assuming the worst

Gather your paperwork

• Maintenance and service records
• The title, or loan payoff information if you're still financing
• Any spare keys and the owner's manual
• Records of any major repairs or replaced components

Know what's not worth fixing

Major mechanical repairs or expensive cosmetic work rarely pay for themselves in a trade-in offer — a dealer will recondition the car to their own standards anyway. Stick to low-cost, high-impact improvements rather than investing heavily before a trade-in.