10 Things You Should Do Before Selling Your Car

father fixing his car with his son

This is a great question that our audience frequently asks. When selling or purchasing a new vehicle, there are a few things to consider in order to get a good deal and avoid selling or purchasing a lemon. What exactly is a lemon? People in the automotive industry frequently refer to a faulty car as a lemon or advise that you should not buy a lemon. In the auto industry, a lemon refers to a vehicle that has mechanical issues or defects that aren’t visible on a visual inspection.

The answer to this question is largely determined by the individual’s intent and the vehicle’s condition. In general, you should always repair your vehicle before selling it to maximize its value and avoid selling a defective vehicle to a new owner. 

It this article we will tell you the things you should do before selling your car. Let’s get started!

Get Your Car's History Report

The first thing you should do when selling a used car is to get the vehicle history report. Every car has a vehicle identification number (VIN) that’s used to generate the report. It provides just about everything that can be known about the condition and service history of a particular car. You can find out if the car has been in any accidents, how many owners it’s had, and whether there are any odometer issues or open recalls. The reports also check for things like branded titles, incidents of theft and flood damage. This is by far your best chance to know if there are any red flags before selling your used car.

Make Sure Your Car is Safe to Drive

Before crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, make sure you know how to determine if a car is safe to drive. Every vehicle, no matter how old, should have working lights (both inside and out), tires in good condition with plenty of tread and that are properly inflated, and a fully functioning braking system.

Make Minor Repairs

Fixing things like a worn out carpet or a cracked windshield will go a long way toward helping make your car attractive to buyers, and you don’t have to spend much money to do it. If you haven’t replaced the windshield wipers in years, get new ones. Also, try replacing front lights and turn signals if they are yellowed or spotty because of debris buildup. Finally, if the floor mats are worn and stained, replace them with inexpensive new ones that fit your car. 

Take Care of Any Outstanding Recall Issues

Check for any recall work that needs to be done on your car. You should check with the manufacturer to see if there are any outstanding recalls related to your model, and it’s also a good idea to check for recalls on the NHTSA website. For most manufacturers, these repairs will be done at no cost to you. There are a few exceptions – for example, Hyundai and Kia have extended the warranties on certain engine components in the wake of past recalls, so owners that have not yet performed the necessary engine work could incur costs under those warranties.

Recalls can be issued for safety-related or emissions-related reasons. If they’re safety-related, they are almost always worth having performed prior to selling a car, as buyers will be concerned about their own safety as well as that of their passengers and other road users (such as cyclists). Recalls related to emissions can also be good things to have addressed, since they may impact an otherwise smooth running vehicle (which can further decrease its value).

Cosmetic issues, however – such as paint faults or minor touchups – won’t usually affect whether potential buyers decide to purchase your car.

Do a Full Inspection

We recommend you take a step back and do a full inspection before shelling out any of your hard-earned cash. Here’s what to look for:

  • Tires: Make sure these are not excessively worn or balding.
  • Shock absorbers: These are changing regularly to ensure the car handles well and can stop quickly.
  • Leaks: Look for any leaks coming from the engine, transmission, radiator, hoses, belts or brakes (look especially under the car).
  • Lights: Check that all the lights on the car work properly and replace any broken bulbs.
  • Air conditioning: It’s important to check everything is in working order if you live in a warmer climate and want to drive comfortably.

Get Any Necessary Smog or Emission Tests

As you’re thinking about selling your car, you may be asking yourself if it’s worth repairing your car to get a higher price. You might also be wondering what repairs are required before selling a car. One of the biggest factors is smog and emissions testing requirements.

The first thing you should do is check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out if your vehicle is required to pass a smog or emissions test in order for the sale to go through. Every state has different requirements for when vehicles need to pass these tests, so make sure you understand exactly what’s expected of you based on where you live. If your car doesn’t meet those requirements, check back again in a year or two—your laws may change at any time! It’s best just not to wait until right before the sale date rolls around either because some tests can take up to four days depending on how busy they are during this period of time

Attempt to Fix Any Check Engine Light Issues

  • Check your gas cap
  • Check the oxygen sensor
  • Check the mass air flow sensor
  • Check the air filter
  • Check the spark plugs and wires
  • Check the catalytic converter
  • Check the fuel injector
  • Check the thermostat and coolant

Get an Oil Change and Top up Other Fluids Before Selling the Vehicle

If you haven’t had your oil changed recently, now is the time to do it. Oil is the most important fluid in your car because it lubricates the engine, which helps all parts of your vehicle work smoothly together. Refer to your owner’s manual to see how often you should change the oil, then have that done before selling the car.

If you want to make sure everything else is up-to-date on fluid levels, feel free to check and top off them yourself or take it into a garage where they can be checked by a mechanic.

For example, there should be coolant in your engine (it keeps things from running too hot). Your brake and clutch fluid should also be topped off if you notice those are getting low. Again, refer to your owner’s manual for a complete list of fluids needed for your specific vehicle type. If you need help understanding what needs done under the hood, ask a friend or family member who knows about cars or simply consult an online resource—there are plenty out there!

It is usually worth spending a little time fixing things that would put off potential buyers.

There are some minor repairs that you can get done easily, and they’ll help you sell your car more quickly. Examples include:

  • Fixing cracked windows and windshields
  • Replacing a few dented body parts
  • Repairing torn or frayed upholstery in small areas
 
However, it’s important not to spend too much on these repairs. If you have a large crack in the windshield, for example, it may be easier for a potential buyer to replace the entire thing rather than deal with the hassle of repairing it. Make sure you’re realistic about what needs fixing and what doesn’t need fixing before deciding whether or not to spend money on your car.