Small outlay big profit

10:14am Friday 9th May 2008

Cleaning a car before putting it up for private sale can add up to £600 to its value, according to the used car experts behind Glass's Guide to Car Values.

And it only takes a few hours and a relatively small amount of money to get the results which will help to achieve a healthy premium. EurotaxGlass's has revealed that, by presenting a car in prime condition, a private vendor can increase the chance of securing a sale at their desired price, and remove the need to deal with low offers and stressful haggling.

Selling your used car? You should clean up!

"Private buyers are easily put off by a dirty car - they think it is unloved and poorly maintained, and will feel justified in offering a lower price than the seller would like," says Jeff Paterson, Chief Car Editor at EurotaxGlass's. "A thorough wash and polish and a comprehensive interior clean can really improve a vehicle's appearance and add hundreds to its value in the private market.

A very well presented, three-year-old, lower-medium-sized car like a Ford Focus or a Vauxhall Astra might realise an additional £300, while a six-year-old example would still be worth at least £150 more. For a one-year-old, upper-medium prestige car - a BMW 3-Series,for example - the premium could be as much as £600."

The advice from EurotaxGlass's is timely given the current level of competition in the used car market. "The introduction of the new 08' registration plate in March brought a considerable number of part-exchanged vehicles on to dealer forecourts," explains Paterson.

"With a significant volume of cars now available on the second-hand market, private sellers are urged to do all they can to make their own vehicle stand out from the crowd. A clean car will create a good first impression, which can be vitally important in winning over potential buyers.

A car not only has to look clean, however - it also has to look cherished, as Paterson explains. "At around £40 a professional valet could be a sound investment to help boost a vehicle's appeal and resulting sale price, and could be crucial if the car is being sold by a smoker.

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