As new vehicle models make their way out of the factories and into dealerships, many customers will look to trade in or resell their current cars.
There are numerous factors that determine a vehicle’s resale value, such as the make and model of the vehicle as well as its age, mileage and overall condition. Although a large portion of the resale value is predetermined, car owners can increase the value by taking proper care of the vehicle to keep it in its optimum condition.
The service specialists at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge provide the following tips to help car owners prepare their vehicles for resale or trade-in:
* Have all ownership materials. The documentation that accompanied the vehicle when first purchased is a key component in resale value. Ownership materials include the warranty manual and owner’s manual. It also is important to have the spare key and, when applicable, the convertible top boot cover.
* Look under the hood and fill all fluids. These include brake fluid, power steering fluid and wiper fluid, along with oil, coolant and antifreeze.
* Do basic operational checks. First, check the dashboard to see if any...