Service Your Vehicle for a Better Trade-In Value

Dreaming of bringing a new Kia home to Raleigh? Trading in your current car is a great way to instantly decrease what you owe on your next vehicle! With that in mind, you may be wondering how you can secure a higher trade-in offer. Servicing your vehicle before you trade it in is a great way to add value. If you’d like to learn more about the importance of routine service and vehicle maintenance as it relates to trade-in valuation, read on with the Hendrick Kia of Cary finance team, below! 

Stay Up-to-Date On Vehicle Maintenance

Dealerships in the Durham area will pay more for a vehicle with a good maintenance record. This means that any time you secure the keys to a new vehicle, you should be thinking about future vehicle maintenance and commit to staying up-to-date with routine services like oil changes, tire rotations, tune-ups, etc. The more you stick to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, the higher the trade-in offer you’ll get when you want to sell it. 

The best place to learn about vehicle maintenance is your owner’s manual, which will tell you exactly what needs to be done and how often. 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 you have a solid vehicle maintenance history, you may be wondering, do I need to service my vehicle before I trade it in? Taking care of any upcoming maintenance items can definitely give you a boost when you value your trade, but you should also factor in the cost of the services. 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 

Value your trade with Hendrick Kia of Cary to discover how much your vehicle is worth! Then, head out from Apex to have your car inspected and finalize the trade-in offer at our dealership. If you’re looking for even more savings on your new vehicle, take a moment to review our latest Kia specials. Have additional questions about the trade-in process? We’re always happy to help! Contact us at your convenience to start a conversation