Get The Most When Selling Your Car By Fixing Those Cosmetic Problems

If you're selling your car privately, fix those little bent, scratched, and missing parts first. Your car will have much better visual appeal, and the prospective buyer will have less to fix themselves. Here is how to take care of those minor repairs easily and for less money than if you took the car to an auto repair shop.

Do It Yourself with Used Parts for an Inexpensive Makeover

Most of the repairs you can do yourself with a few simple tools. Check out the local auto salvage yards for parts. You'll save money on labor and on the parts at the salvage yards when you do it yourself. Here are the areas of your car to consider fixing.

Under the Hood

• Insulation - If the material that's under your engine hood is rotted or torn, replace it with a used piece.
• Battery clamps and cables - These often become bent and corroded. Clean any dirt and corrosion off of the battery and posts and replace the cables and battery hold down clamp with used parts.

Exterior of the Car

• License plate holders - These may be bent or missing and can easily be replaced with salvage yard parts.
• Lens covers - Look for headlight, taillight and brake light lens covers to replace any cracked or broken covers.
• Windshield wiper arms - These can become corroded and the finish can peel. Replace the wiper arm with used parts but put in new wiper blades for an extra touch.
• Side mirrors - You'll find complete side mirror assemblies in an auto parts yard to replace broken mirrors on your car. It's often easier to replace the entire unit instead of trying to fix just the broken glass mirror.
• Door handles - If these are bent or corroded, replace them with used parts.
• Trunk handle and lock - If the trunk lock is missing or doesn't work properly, replace it. Have the lock keyed by a locksmith before you install it.
• Hub caps and covers - Find replacements at the auto salvage yard if these are missing, dented, or corroded.

Interior of the Car

• Rear view mirror - Replace if missing or re-glue if loose on the windshield. Special adhesive for mirrors is available in auto parts stores.
• Knobs, levers and dials - Replace any of these that are missing or damaged. They are easy to find in a salvage yard and are less expensive than in an auto parts store.
• Sun visors - Warped or dirty visors should be replaced.
• Floor mats - You may find good floor mats at the used auto parts store, but may have to buy new mats to match the floor shape, size, and the color of your car.

Repairing these minor cosmetic details will make your car look cared for. A few dented or scratched items on your car can make the difference between a sale and someone walking away to find a car in nicer shape. 

To find parts at a salvage yard, visit a place such as Teddy Bears Auto Parts & Salvage Inc.