Some Steps You Should Take Before Selling Your Vehicle to a Dealership

Selling your car can be an overwhelming experience, and selling online can be much more stressful. You may wonder, "Where am I going to sell my car and get what it's worth?" How do you know selling your car online will go well? Who can you trust? Private sales can be dangerous, or it might lead to you not finding a buyer at all. Selling your car can be a huge waste of time and energy unless you know where to go for a good price and trustworthy people. This is why many people end up opting to sell their vehicles elsewhere. Do dealerships buy cars? Yes, they do! Ruge’s Ford is known for buying used vehicles, and we don’t require a trade-in to do so. We love buying from customers throughout the Rhinebeck area and will do our best to ensure you get a good price and that the experience is both pleasant and short.

Instead of going through the same dealership to get a new car, you can sell your used one to Ruge’s, then figure out where you want to go from there. No pressure. Of course, you want to ensure you’re getting a good price for your vehicle, no matter what year it is. What can be done to make your used car appeal to a dealership like Ruge’s Ford? Let's take a look at a few steps you can take to make sure it is in the best condition, and you'll get the most for your vehicle.

Gather All Important Paperwork

The first and most important thing you’ll need to complete a sale is paperwork. It doesn’t matter how much you have as long as you have the right documents, namely, the title and the bill of sale. This lets us know that you own the car outright. You will also want to bring a current form of identification, which means you will also need a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Once we confirm your identity and that you own your vehicle, it’s a good idea to bring along any documentation regarding repairs, upgrades, maintenance records, etc., but these are not must-haves. Remember that more documentation will help you when selling to dealerships and prospective owners.

Once you’ve got all the correct paperwork added, see if there’s any additional information you can provide, such as where you got your oil change last and when it was changed prior, if a new radio has been installed, what sort of tires are currently on the vehicle, etc. Any extra information is a bonus, and while not necessary, it helps us see the complete picture of your vehicle's condition and helps us as we pass along that information to potential buyers.

Detail the Interior

Since many of us spend quite a bit of time in our vehicles, it stands to reason that occasionally, they could use a good cleaning. When you’re thinking of selling, it’s a good idea to take stock of the interior and see if there are any minor repairs needed to be made, along with any cleaning that needs to be done, even (and perhaps especially) in small places that might otherwise be overlooked. Check under the front seats for loose change and extra chargers, grab the vacuum, pick up stray crumbs, and check the glove compartment for any personal items you might miss.

Pre-owned cars come to our used Ford dealership in various conditions, but the ones that are clean and organized are easier on the eye and are sure to grab a customer's attention. It also shows us that the car has been taken care of, and if you’ve spent time on the interior, it’s likely you’ve also spent time on the exterior, and a used car in good condition will always sell better. Once you’ve got the interior to your liking, you can add a final touch like an air freshener and pat yourself on the back for a job very well done.

Clean the Exterior

Another way to put your best foot forward when selling your used vehicle is to look over the exterior and see what can be done to present it in the best way possible. Taking care of any small dents, scrapes, and cracks will also improve the overall look of your car. You can take it through a car wash and wax before heading to us and drive it to our dealership in pristine condition. You will also want to take your license plates, and it’s a good idea to check your lights to ensure all are in working order, as well as check your tire pressure to confirm that everything is at the proper level.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time on the inside and outside of your vehicle, nor do you have to spend a lot of money. A few hours spent cleaning your vehicle is sufficient to make your used car look brand new. This not only helps you but also helps us and the prospective owner. No one will get caught up in the appearance, and everyone can appreciate how well you’ve taken care of it.

Address Minor Repairs and Maintenance

Before you bring your vehicle in to see us, take a moment to look over your vehicle. Are there any small things you need to do before seeing us? Change the oil, replace an air filter, or ensure all the fluids are at the right levels? This will allow you to show off your vehicle in its best light and convey that you are a responsible vehicle owner and can be trusted with the information you bring in. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or go overboard with this process.

Knowing we don’t have to spend money on repairing a lot of little things or just the big things make a huge difference. Of course, it’s up to you how much money and labor you want to save, though it’s tricky because you could get a lower offer than you were hoping for. Even spending twenty minutes on the vehicle can be a big difference, depending on what you’re doing. Just like the interior, there are things you might miss if you aren’t careful, like that extra key hideaway, bumper stickers, and license plates that need to be removed before your visit.

Looking To Sell Your Vehicle? Look No Further Than Us

At Ruge’s Ford, we’re here to help. We can do so in a variety of ways, including looking over your car, talking about financing, and helping you through each step of the process. We’ve got plenty of vehicles in our inventory, so don’t be shy. Contact us today and ask one of our sales representatives to look and see if we have something you’re interested in. We hope this information was helpful to you as you consider selling your vehicle. We’d love to take a look at the vehicle you're selling, and we’re happy to show you around the lot if you want to see what we already have on hand. We enjoy assisting our customers in selling and buying used cars, and we look forward to working with you soon.