You've had some good years with your car, but it's time to move on. When you're ready to sell your vehicle, getting the best possible price for your set of wheels is probably foremost in your mind. Our simple tips can help you maximize profits when selling your pre-loved vehicle.

Don't Wait Too Long

If you love a car, it can be tempting to hang onto it for as long as possible. However, that can significantly impact your bottom line. Most buyers want relatively modern vehicles with low mileage. If you wait too long to sell your car, you may get far less than you would have if you'd offloaded it a few years earlier. Car experts suggest selling your car before passing 130,000 miles.

Sell When the Market is Strong

You'll obviously get more for your car if you sell when people are eager to buy cars instead of when interest in automobiles is low. What's not so obvious is how you can time your sale to take advantage of a strong market.

Low fuel prices can encourage people to purchase a new car, so keep an eye on the cost of gas. Watching listings on car sales sites can also help you gauge the market. If cars seem to sell quickly, you may feel more confident that yours will too. If they're slower to move, you might prefer to hold onto your vehicle for a few months until the market changes.

Clean Your Car Inside and Out

Giving your car a thorough clean can help it make a positive first impression on buyers. A clean car suggests you take care of your vehicle, so it's worth spending money on. Best of all, since it probably won't cost you anything but time, cleaning your car isn't going to eat into your profits. Give the exterior a thorough wash to remove dirt, bug splatters, and other unsightly stains. Don't forget the wax for some extra shine. If the water doesn't bead, get your car detailed to bring your paint's luster back. Use some tire shine to rejuvenate your wheels.

Once you've beautified the exterior, it's time to tackle the inside. Remove any clutter from your car's interior and vacuum it thoroughly. Pay attention to often-neglected areas like the steering wheel, dashboard, carpet, door jams, cup holders, and trunk. Rubbing a vinyl restorative product into the dashboard can make it look new. You can also spray a little air freshener to make your car smell more appealing. If you're a smoker or travel with pets, it's worth steam cleaning the interior to remove stubborn odors.

Invest in Small Cosmetic Enhancements

It's usually not worth spending a lot of money on cosmetic improvements before selling your car. But spending a little money on some small enhancements can really pay dividends. Old, worn floor mats can make your car look unsightly. Replacing your mats with new ones can brighten up your car's interior instantly. New windshield wipers are another small investment that can really pay off. Make sure you mention your new purchases to a prospective buyer. When they know you've made an effort to maintain your vehicle, they may be more willing to give you a good price.

Know Your Car's Worth

To get the best price for your car, it's important to know what's realistic. Knowing your car's worth helps you understand when you're getting a good deal and accept the right offer. Kelley Blue Book is the most reliable resource for car valuations. Evaluate your car's condition and decide whether it should sell above or below the average for its make, model, and year. If you're unsure, ask a friend or family member for their objective opinion.

Sell the Car With Paperwork

Used cars often aren't sold with any paperwork. However, some documents can be really valuable for buyers, as they can help them understand the car's history. The original owner's manual can help the buyer understand how your car works. Brochures from the car manufacturer also offer a great snapshot of your car's best features. Don't forget your service log. A complete log shows a buyer you maintained your car well, so it's unlikely to have any major faults. If you've made any repairs, written records can help the buyer understand the work done.

If you've modified your vehicle, paperwork supporting your improvements can also justify a higher price. Receipts and brochures for new sound systems, tires, or alarm systems are all great extras to give the person buying your car. Organize all the paperwork in a folder so you can appear professional presenting it to a buyer.

Sell to a Dealership

Many people mistakenly believe they can get more money for their car by selling privately, but it's a bit of a gamble. To sell privately, you need to invest money in a roadworthy certificate and any repairs your car needs to meet safety standards. Depending on how you advertise your vehicle, you could spend money on an ad in the classifieds or printing flyers. You may or may not make that money back through profits.

There's no need to spend money on any of these things when you sell to a dealership. Dealers expect they'll need to prepare your car for sale, so minor problems won't impact your bottom line too much. They can also get repairs done cheaper, so you'll probably spend more fixing issues than a dealership will subtract from their offer. Dealers also won't haggle you down the way private buyers do. If you plan on buying a car from a dealership to replace your wheels, your original car can also be a great bargaining chip.

At Kraft Nissan, we pride ourselves on giving customers in Tallahassee the fairest price for their pre-loved vehicles. Use our handy value trade-in technology to get a trade-in estimate at home, then come in and see us for a vehicle appraisal. We encourage you to negotiate a price you're happy with. We can then put your trade-in value toward a great new or used vehicle. At Kraft Nissan, we take the stress out of selling your car.