Is it worth investing in car repairs before selling?
As mileage increases and/or time passes, the cosmetic condition of any vehicle inevitably deteriorates. No matter how often we wash, wax or polish it, its body and glazing are subject to minor mechanical damage. In addition, some materials fade, which is why the original appearance of the car is lost.
The second point concerns the functional parts of a used car, which potential buyers always pay attention to during inspection. A creaking door, a faulty window lift mechanism, a wheezing speaker, torn seat covers, an unpleasant smell - all this together creates an unattractive appearance of the interior.
And the third thing that a buyer of a used car pays attention to is its technical condition. Most likely, he will try to check the condition of the wheels, brake discs and pads, as well as operating fluids (primarily engine oil) and the chassis suspension (knocking, humming and grinding noises that should not normally exist).
Is it worth fixing all the problems before selling a car?
The clear answer to this question is no. A significant part of the costs aimed at solving all problems will not pay off. The car being sold will be better, but they won’t buy it more expensive because of this, since the main price-determining factors are different - the year of manufacture, mileage, equipment, general condition and, possibly, color.
Thus, eliminating all accumulated problems can only be recommended if you still plan to use the vehicle for a long time. This will certainly extend its service life and increase reliability. In addition, using such a machine will be much more pleasant.
You should definitely not do pre-sale maintenance to demonstrate to a potential buyer how carefully you treat the car. Fluids that are too fresh (which, according to regulations, do not yet require replacement) and a freshly washed engine can cause unnecessary suspicions about the health of the power unit.
There is also no point in repairing minor body defects such as dents and scratches by repainting them at a car repair shop. This will not give much effect, but you will spend money, and a potential buyer may suspect that you are hiding the consequences of a serious accident. What body flaws should be eliminated?
What problems with the body should be corrected before selling the car?
There are simple and inexpensive operations that can, if not transform, then at least significantly improve the appearance of the car. Let's talk about the most basic ones.
Removing minor scratches is a proven way to make the car you are selling more attractive. Ideally, you can contact car washers or body repair specialists for this service. Both may have the necessary qualifications to perform such a task. However, it is cheaper to remove minor scratches yourself.
To do this, you should use an abrasive body polish or a specialized composition created specifically to eliminate such defects. It is important to understand that the measure may not be effective against scratches that are too deep. If you wet the problem area and the damage is still visible, don’t waste your time.
Touching up chips is another simple trick to improve the appearance of your car. At any car market or large auto store you can find special products that will help partially hide the defect. Before doing this, you should wash the car thoroughly, degrease the chipped areas and apply paint. The result is not perfect, but quite good.
Solving lighting problems is an important part of preparing your car for sale. First of all, make sure that all the lamps are shining correctly; be sure to replace the faulty ones with new ones. The exception is sweating expensive headlights (for example, LED or xenon), which at the very least work. There is no need to change them.
Get your wheels in order - it doesn't cost much, but it has a big impact on how your car is perceived by the buyer. Depending on their condition, we recommend:
update decorative caps if the car has steel wheels;
sand and paint rusty stamped wheels with cheap paint;
replace worn tires with better ones (according to the degree of wear);
Apply rubber blackening compound to tires.
Replacing tires with new ones, buying new headlights and flashlights, etc. are too expensive and radical decisions that are not destined to significantly affect the price. Most likely, it will just be a gift for the future owner of your car.
One final relatively minor problem that can be fixed inexpensively is the muffler. Repairing a rotten or burnt-out component will cost one or two thousand rubles, after which the car will be perceived as much “healthier”.
What major faults are most profitable to fix?
Cosmetics are one thing, and the technical condition of the car is completely different. Let's consider those car problems that should never be ignored.
Liquid leaks
Few people would want to buy a car that has a lot of problems. One of the most important
One thing that it is highly advisable to eliminate before sale is engine oil or coolant leaks. After all, when the car is in this condition, the engine can overheat and fail. Long trips are clearly contraindicated for him.
You can fix problems yourself, in a car service center or in a garage, using the help of those who understand this more than you. First of all, it is necessary to establish which technical fluid is susceptible to leakage. When this point is clarified, replace the oil seal, radiator (used) or other part/spare part.
Even if everything is fine with the car and you are confident in it, check the condition of the fluids - their level should be between the MIN and MAX marks. Let us repeat, there is no need to update them without regard to the regulations - a potential buyer will not only not appreciate this, but will also suspect you of trying to hide problems with the engine.
Faulty (ineffective) brakes
The next common problem is the brakes. Their correct operation is mainly ensured by brake discs and pads, as well as brake fluid. If the latter leaks, the driver may not have time to stop the car in a timely manner. Worn pads, in turn, increase the braking distance of the car when braking.
In addition, the caliper and rubber gaskets may need maintenance, and other measures may also be necessary. There is no point in saving on this - the brakes must be in good working order and effective, otherwise the car poses an increased danger to everyone - the driver, passengers, and other road users.
In addition to the above, the performance of the gearbox is also important - the second most complex unit after the engine. Its condition is one of the main criteria when buying a car, especially when it comes to high-tech gearboxes: robotic with two clutches, continuously variable, torque converter automatic transmissions.
When is it better to sell a car as is?
One of these cases is when the car was involved in a serious accident that caused deformation of the load-bearing frame. No car service center will be able to repair a damaged body so that its strength characteristics are fully restored. At best, the car will retain its excellent appearance, but its safety will not be the best.
A thoroughly damaged BMW 7 Series with straightened body frame elements may end up being less safe in the event of another accident than a budget Lada Granta, which was not involved in accidents. And the more technologically advanced the body (high-strength steel), the more difficult it is to restore it without consequences in the future.
A car with damaged body geometry, in addition to safety, may be unstable to drive. Repairing it takes a lot of time, and the cost of work, as a rule, goes well beyond 100,000 rubles. It is definitely not worth investing seriously in the pre-sale preparation of such a machine - its repair is impractical.
Who may need a car after a serious accident?
If we discard unscrupulous resellers, then there will be people for whom it is enough that the functionality of the car has been preserved after an accident: it can be driven in peace, albeit with some safety risks. Many similar vehicles roam the roads of our country.
We also must not forget about those rare cases when the body geometry can still be maintained at the factory (or close to it) level, the airbags did not deploy (or new ones were installed), and the rigidity of the frame is normal. Such a car can be used for many years without any possible consequences.
By selling a car “as is,” you are not hiding the main defect and are offering it at a realistic price. In this case, firstly, you act as a bona fide seller, and secondly, your offer is in the visibility zone of potential buyers - those who are looking for a specific car with body defects at a good price.
Selling a car with defects is always possible, the only question is the price. The simple measures described above will help you increase it a little or find a buyer faster. Before carrying out major repairs, you should always compare the costs of it with the possible increase in the value of the car that you can expect. We hope this material was useful to you. Happy trading!
