How to Prepare Your Car for Trade-In in Fort Wayne, IN

One of the most crucial aspects of the automotive trade-in process is making sure your vehicle is ready for inspection. Failing to prepare ahead of time can make or break your experience, especially when it comes to receiving an ideal offer. Fortunately, we at Bart’s Car Store are here to help you lay the framework for your experience so you can hit the ground running when you arrive at our location in Fort Wayne.

Service

It goes without saying that a vehicle that isn’t functioning at its full potential is less likely to receive a high offer. To avoid being disappointed when you visit our location, it’s imperative that you get a multi-point inspection and routine maintenance taken care of, especially if you’re long overdue for restorations. Have you noticed decreased fuel efficiency, engine overheating, or a grinding noise emanating from beneath the hood? This means your vehicle requires an oil change to operate correctly on Route 27. Another important task is a tire rotation, as this will verify that your car delivers optimal traction and handling on slippery pavement and difficult terrain. Lastly, we suggest getting your battery tested, wiper blades replaced, and brakes checked before your visit. By completing these tasks for us ahead of time, our appreciation will be shown in the dollar amount you’re offered. 

Cleaning

While mechanical performance is paramount, cosmetic issues should also be addressed before meeting at our location. This is because a pristine and presentable car is considered more valuable among prospective customers. It pays dividends to get a professional detailing service completed ahead of time, but we completely understand that isn’t always in everyone’s budgets. If this is the case for you, feel free to wash and wax the exterior of your vehicle right from your driveway. Once your car dries, you’ll want to clear the cabin of any possessions or debris that may have accumulated after your weekends at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Then, you can bring it to your nearest gas station to get the carpet and seats vacuumed. Keep in mind that while it’s not completely required, it’s recommended that you get any dents or scratches buffed out since blemishes can impact your vehicle’s value. If you have any questions or need reccomendations, contact our team!

Final Steps

To help streamline your experience, you can see what your vehicle is worth long before walking through our doors. All you have to do is find your replacement model through our virtual showroom, then navigate to our Value Your Trade tool. Once there, you can input some key details about your car including the year, make, model, trim, and mileage. With this information, our database will research market prices to provide you with the best deal possible. If you’re happy with the number, you’ll want to gather your title, registration, Owner’s Manual, and service records for us to review upon your arrival.