Sometimes when we would want to buy a new car, we would like to dispose of our old car first. We do this to give us more flexibility in our cash room. However we must not fall into the trap of trading in our cars with the car dealer as we can get more money out of it by selling it ourselves. This article will give you tips on how to sell your car and get more value out of it.

The first step you do is figure out how much you can sell it by comparing it to cars that are of the same model like yours in your area. Try to narrow your search by looking at the zip codes. The further the car you compare it with the more likely the price will be different. Look for them on the internet or on newspaper ads. If the car you compare with has got some other specifications, try to take that into consideration that his car value will be higher.

The next step is to clean the engine. It is important to clean the car engine because most people will look under the hood. You will need to check the fluids. Also be sure to tighten the belts and make sure there are no noises. Replace the spark plugs if needed.

If the engine and engine compartment is dirty, first cover up the other electronic stuff and distributor with plastic bag or foil and use a spray engine cleaner. The most important thing for you to remember is what the customer sees will be his or her first impression. So it is important to clean the things under the hood that the customer can see. This includes the battery, radiator and hoses.

The next thing for you to do is clean your car's exterior. First clean of the body by washing all the dirt and removing all the bugs, including the windows. If you need to touch up the paint later, don't wax it first. If the lights are broken, replace it. If the windshield is cracked very bad replace it, try to canvass because windshields cause a lot. If it is only a small crack don't bother replacing it, especially if the car's value is low.

Spray the wheels with exterior silver spray paint if the wheels are just steel without any exterior. Then fill the tires up with the proper psi as shown on sidewalls of the tire. Also get stuff that makes the tires shinier and blacker at tire shops. For the scratches and match spots, touch up using Cu-tips with matching paint. For the exterior trim and bumpers, apply Armorall.

By being able to make your car look good when the buyer sees it, even when it really is old. The value may increase a lot and you may have a few extra cash to pocket with.