Trade in, Sell, or Auction?

Preparing your truck for sale
Selling a used vehicle is similar to selling a house. You'll want to maximize its value by following some basic, cost-effective steps to make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

Check it out
Smart buyers will have an independent mechanic inspect a vehicle they're considering, as there's no guarantee or warranty when buying from a private seller. Be proactive and have the vehicle checked out by a mechanic before putting it on the market. With a professional assessment, you can decide whether it's worth spending the money to fix the items that need to be repaired or updated, and address the issues on your schedule. Even if you choose not to repair a problem, at least you'll know what's wrong with your truck and can then disclose it to a potential buyer. That way, if you include in your asking price the decrease in value caused by the problem, you can tell a prospective buyer during the negotiation process that you've already taken it into consideration. Documentation and honesty can go a long way to bolster a buyer's confidence.

Clean it!
For around $100 to $150, you can get your vehicle detailed by a professional, who will thoroughly clean the carpets, seats, trunk, and engine compartment, and also wax the truck. It will be money well worth spending if you don't have the time or inclination to do it yourself. A proper detailing will pay for itself, as the vehicle will make a much better first impression.

If cleaning your vehicle yourself, be sure to go beyond a simple surface wash to clean out wheel wells and even pressure-wash the undercarriage on pickups and sport/utes to remove any crusted evidence of off-road excursions.

Clean the engine compartment with a degreasing agent. A filthy engine frustrates mechanics, obscures leaks, and gives the impression of poor maintenance. A cleanser and "pay and spray" pressure hose can work wonders here.

Drying is just as important, providing an opportunity to clean around doors, hood, and hatches.

Complete the exterior with a one-step polish/wax to rejuvenate the paint, and freshen unpainted bumpers and lens covers with a plastic polish.

Inside, avoid high-shine products with strong scents. These are dead giveaways that the vehicle was just given the spa

treatment of a lifetime. The goal is to give the impression that the truck has been well cared for, not that it received a recent spit shine just to help the sale.

Of course, vacuum thoroughly, but also remove dirt from doors, window ledges, controls, around shifter, in storage bins, and even vent outlets. Be sure to check under the seats for change and old snacks.

With pickups, SUVs, and minivans, the floormats take serious abuse from dirt and miscellaneous stains. If the mats are too discolored to clean thoroughly, consider replacing them. A clean floor will make the whole interior seem fresher.

Use an upholstery cleanser to restore the seat fabric, or leather treatment if seats are wrapped in cowhide.

If a pickup truck's exterior is sharp, but the bed is especially rough, spraying the bed may be a cost effective way to increase the vehicle's perceived value. For newer vehicles, a budget paint job can be more of a turn-off than damaged paint. Every situation is unique, so use your own judgment.