Are you thinking of selling your car? If you are even having this thought, the chances are very good that you ought to be looking to see what you can get for your car. What’s more, the longer you wait, the more you risk getting stuck with a lemon that’s hard to get rid of.
And who knows? You may be even to afford James Bond’s car if you play your cards right.
First though, here are 5 signs that it’s time to replace your car.
Excessive Mileage
After a certain amount of mileage the car’s mechanical and electrical systems simply start to break down (and it’s not just the motor that starts to go). These mechanical and electrical failures start piling up and it becomes costly. Eventually, there will come a point that a vehicle with excessive mileage has little or no resale value and you’ll end up having to take what you can for it as scrap!
Once you’ve sold your car, it’s time to lease a new vehicle, and you can find out how to get the best deal on a car lease by heading over to this quick guide.
Interior Wear and Tear
The state of the inside of your automobile is also a determining factor when it comes to deciding if it’s time to minimize potential losses and sell the vehicle. Are there any obvious cosmetic imperfections in the cars interior (ripped upholstery, stains, etc…). What about odors? Have your pets been regular passengers in your car?
Expensive Mechanical Repairs
With a late model car it’s easy to be faced with expensive mechanical repairs that far exceed the car’s market value. For instance, advanced blind spot warning and forward collision mitigation systems do make driving a lot safer, but if these systems fail the results are very costly.
This is because these safety systems make use of various sensors and cameras that are often located directly in the bumper and fender. One hard hit during a collision can ruin the whole system, which rapidly drives down the cost of an otherwise unblemished vehicle.
Severe Cosmetic Damage
Moving from the inside to the outside of the car, there are plenty of aesthetic factors that can influence the potential value of a used car. Some of the more common examples of severe cosmetic damage include chipped paint, damaged head and tail lamps, and damaged trim. Broken door handles and rear view mirrors are other obvious eye sores that discourage would be buyers and appraisers.
Outdated Features
If your car has obsolete characteristics, this can also negatively impact its resale value. Cigarette lighters, antennas, CD players (and cassette decks), automatic safety belts, and single back seats are just a few of the features that have become completely outdated. If your car has any of these features, it’s likely time to figure out how you can get <maximum value for it.
