Stop thinking like an owner and start thinking like a buyer. If you wouldn't want to buy your car, what makes you think anyone else will? This is where you have to be ruthless with yourself and honest with any buyer.
- A good wash and brush-up is essential before anyone comes to look at your car when selling, or when you take it to a dealer's for a trade-in valuation. You wouldn't leave the house without combing your hair and brushing your teeth, so treat your car the same way. And don't forget to clean all the wee nooks and crannies, just like your mum always told you to wash behind your ears.
- Give the interior a thorough clean and scrub. You'll be amazed at how much fresher it will smell. Also, take the time to remove any personal 'touches' from the interior. Just because you think fur seat covers are cool, doesn't mean a potential buyer will.
- Don't go over the top. Covering every plastic surface in silicone 'as new' sprays and polishing the tyres will do nothing to improve its value and may even put off buyers who think you're trying to hide something. Don't bother to steam clean the engine bay either for the same reason, and it may also let moisture into the electrics that cause problems when you least want them.
