Service Your Vehicle for a Better Trade-In Value

Looking to make some room in your driveway for a new Chevy? If you need to sell your current vehicle before you can bring a new truck or SUV home to Raleigh, trading in at a dealership like Hendrick Chevrolet Cary is a great way to offload your vehicle without any of the hassles that accompany a private sale. If you’re concerned about getting a good trade-in offer, our finance team is here to help!

For starters, staying up-to-date on Chevy maintenance and servicing your vehicle before you trade it in will help you get a higher trade-in value. Read on to learn more about the importance of routine service and maintenance as it relates to trade-in valuation. 

Stay Up-to-Date On Chevy Maintenance

No matter where you go in the Apex area, a vehicle with a stellar maintenance record — and the mechanical condition to show for it — is going to get a higher trade-in offer than a vehicle that was poorly maintained. You can’t undo a poor service history, which is why it’s so important to stay up-to-date on Chevy maintenance throughout the life of your vehicle. Keeping up with things like oil changes and other fluid replacements, tune-ups, etc. is one of the best things you can do to maintain your car’s value. 

Your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is laid out in the owner’s manual; so long as you follow along with it, you should expect a good deal when you eventually sell your car. Service requirements may vary a bit between different makes and models, but routine vehicle maintenance typically includes:

• Oil and oil filter change 
• Tire rotation
• Wheel balancing and alignment
• Filter changes — engine air filter, fuel filter, cabin air filter
• Battery checks and replacement
• Brake system checks and maintenance
• Fluid checks and replacement — coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid
• Hose checks and maintenance
• Spark plugs/ignition system checks and maintenance
• Timing belt checks and maintenance 

Do I Need to Service My Vehicle Before I Trade It In? 

If your vehicle is due for maintenance, but you’re going to trade it in soon anyway, do you need to service it before you trade it in? When you’re getting ready to trade in your car, it doesn’t hurt to get it up to speed on minor maintenance. If the dealership inspects your vehicle and finds fresh engine oil along with a strong engine, you’ll definitely stand to earn a little extra on your trade. A good rule of thumb is that if a required service or repair is going to cost more than your vehicle is worth, you shouldn’t spend the money on it. 

Here are some examples of services you can do before trading in your car to increase its value without spending too much money: 

• Change oil and oil filter
• Rotate tires and fill them to the proper tire pressure 
• Replace windshield wiper blades 
• Replace any burnt out bulbs in headlights and/or tail lights 
• Interior and exterior car detailing 

Value Your Trade in Cary 

If you haven’t already done so, you can value your trade online to get a 10 second estimate of its current value! When you’re ready to finalize your trade-in offer, make the quick trip from Holly Springs to Hendrick Chevrolet Cary. We’re committed to making trade-ins easier with a transparent appraisal process and top dollar offers — the entire process only takes about an hour or less! Have questions or concerns before you visit us? Contact us and we’ll be glad to assist you.