Safety Glasses
Gloves
Cleaning Wipes
Car Wash
Car Wax
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners
Automotive Glass Cleaner
Tire Brush
Clay Bar
Detailer
Battery Terminal Cleaner
Vehicle Documents & Receipts
Step 1: Clean the interior
Clean the interior thoroughly—you might even use compressed air to blow out the hard-to-reach areas, cup holders and crevices before you vacuum. Use carpet and upholstery cleaners to remove any stains from floors and seats. Floor mats and seat covers are available for stains that won’t come out. Don’t forget to remove any personal items from the trunk, glove box and console. Check under the seats one last time, and if you’ve used your CD player at all, make sure you take the disc out of the stereo.
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Do It Right: Don’t forget things like door panels and handles, dashboard, gear shifter, buttons and knobs—cleaning wipes work great for these. You might also consider adding an air freshener and installing a new cabin air filter. |
Step 2: Check under the hood
You might check for corrosion around the battery terminals, and use a little battery terminal cleaner if needed. Wipe any dead leaves or excessive dirt out of the engine compartment.
Step 3: Wash your vehicle
You’ll want to give your vehicle's exterior a good wash, and before you wax, you can use a clay bar and spray detailer to remove any caked-on contaminants. Wash your windows inside and out with an automotive glass cleaner, so any tint will remain unharmed. Finally, make sure your wheels are clean, and use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub your tires.
Step 4: Take pictures of both outside and inside
Now that you’ve prepared your vehicle and all the documents, you’ll want to take some great pictures to put out there. It's also not a bad idea to remove your plates before doing this. And take several shots, both outside and inside, so potential buyers feel like they’ve seen what the vehicle has to offer. You might even consider a short “video tour” of the vehicle to make it stand out from all the other photographs.
Step 5: Get Documents in Order
You’ll need the title, registration card, inspection certificate if applicable, and bill of sale. The documents you need will vary slightly from state to state. Also, consider supplying a vehicle history report. This will provide answers to the potential buyers’ questions, like whether the vehicle has had any accidents, flood or fire damage, or a salvage title.
