Are you asking yourself, “Is it time to sell my car?” You may be ready to find a model better suited to your driving needs, or maybe you’ve just accepted a work-from-home position and no longer need your vehicle. No matter your situation, selling to Ruge’s Ford is the best decision you can make. We strive to keep our lot stocked with a versatile lineup of models that are in great condition, allowing our customers to find exactly what they’re looking for in our extensive inventory. If you’re wondering, “What do I need to do with my car before I sell it to Ruge’s?” Let our team help with some easy steps to ensure you get the most for your trusted traveler.

Step #1: Clean and Declutter

Everyone knows that you only get one chance to make a first impression, which makes it a good idea to clean up your car prior to selling it. Here at Ruge’s Ford, we like to offer our customers the best used options in the industry, so although you don’t need to go over it with a fine-tooth comb, it’s still advised to present a vehicle that’s not too cluttered. If you want to maximize its appeal, give it a good wash and clean the windows so its exterior is sparkling. Vacuum the inside and dust off the dash to exhibit a comfortable cabin space that potential buyers can envision themselves in. You may want to take it a step further, wax it, shine up your tires, and make your vehicle look its absolute best.

Perhaps the most important factor is making sure to clean out all of your personal belongings from the car. When you present a dealership with a vehicle that looks like it can go on the used car lot right that moment, you optimize your chances of getting more money for your vehicle. As we mentioned earlier, we don’t require you to address every nook and cranny in your vehicle; however, it’s always a good idea to make sure that your car is showcasing the best version of itself to show its true potential.

Step #2: Inspect and Repair

Another good practice is performing a visual inspection of your vehicle to ensure that there aren’t any small problems that need to be addressed before selling it. Maybe some of the paint has been chipped, or there’s a ding in the door from when you misjudged how far the streetlamp was away from your car. Although it’s not required, it doesn’t hurt to get these things fixed because it will only add value to your vehicle and, thus, increase the amount of money we can offer you for it. Remember, when a dealership has to take it upon themselves to fix damage to your vehicle, they won’t be able to offer you the same amount of money if you address these issues beforehand.

It's also not required to get a full-on inspection performed on your vehicle; however, if you start to notice an issue developing, it may be a good idea to get it checked out before selling your car. If you take good care of your vehicle and keep up with its maintenance needs, your vehicle will typically be in better shape. So, before you go to sell your car, take a moment and look at small things you can replace, like windshield wiper blades, cabin air filters, and brake lights. These little fixes can go a long way when it comes to determining the value of your car.

Step #3: Locate Important Paperwork

When you bought your car, you most likely put all the important documents you received into your glove compartment, never to be looked at again. This makes this area the best place to start when locating the paperwork needed to sell your car to our used Ford dealership. We require the original title certificate to prove that you own the vehicle, or if you’re still paying for the vehicle, you’ll need a lien release letter. You’ll also want to be sure to bring along your driver’s license as proof of identity, as well as your payment method if you plan on trading your car in and putting money down on a new vehicle.

It's also a good idea to locate your vehicle’s maintenance records to show that you’ve been maintaining your car properly. Showing the dealership that you’ve kept up with routine maintenance and any repairs made to the vehicle will give greater insight into the quality of your car. You may also want to run a vehicle history report, even though the dealership will run its own. Taking a moment to locate these important documents will make the selling process much easier and will allow you to walk away, cash in hand, from a vehicle that has provided you with miles of reliability. Plus, organizing these documents in your glove compartment will help reduce your vehicle’s clutter and show how easy it is to stay organized on the road.

Step #4: Do Your Research

You never want to go into any situation blind. A big part of selling your car is knowing its worth, which means that utilizing an online valuation tool is a smart move before attempting to sell your car. The good news is that when you sell to a dealership, you can take advantage of a better overall experience instead of trying to sell your car on your own. Choosing certain brands will give you a jumpstart when it comes to getting more for your car, as a select few automakers, like Ford, Toyota, and Subaru, are regarded as having some of the highest resale values in the industry. You’ll already be ahead of the game if you’re driving a safer and more dependable vehicle than others.

Keep in mind that the value of your car is based on a few factors, not just make and model. How you take care of your vehicle, how many miles are on it, and whether or not this is the type of vehicle area drivers are looking for should all be considered. Fortunately, at Ruge’s Ford, we don’t discriminate when it comes to what resides on our used lot. If your car is in good condition and we feel our customers will buy it, we want to work with you to help you get what you deserve for your car.

Sell Your Car to Us

Dealerships make it easy to get more money for your vehicle with less hassle, and at Ruge’s Ford, we’re the best team to trust when it comes to selling your car. You may have had a good run with your trusted transporter, but now, it’s time to move on to bigger and better things. Make sure your car exhibits its excellence by taking time and preparing accordingly.

In cleaning your car up and making it shine, addressing small repairs, and ensuring its integrity, plus locating all of your paperwork and getting organized, you’ll have unmatched success when it comes time to make your sale. Remember to do your research and know what your car is worth, and when it comes time to bid farewell to your reliable traveler, Ruge’s Ford would be honored to make an offer and add incredible value to our great used car inventory. Contact us today to get started.