The car is one of the most personal items that you own. It's a place where memories are made, and it can be difficult to let go.

It's a tough decision, but sometimes it has to be done. Trading in your vehicle for something newer or more reliable is the right choice when you're no longer comfortable with its reliability or performance.

If you take care of your vehicle and maintain it regularly, there's no reason why you should need to trade in sooner than three years from now. But what should you do before trading in?

Here are 11 things that every car owner needs to do before selling or trading their car in for a new one.

Study the Market

If you're planning on selling or trading in your car, you need to know how much your car is worth. You can look up the value of your car by looking at different websites that offer used car appraisals based upon mileage and age.

This way, you have an idea of its worth and what companies are willing to give you for your car. This way, when it comes time to negotiate, you'll have an idea of what the dealerships are willing to do in terms of price and credit.

Organize the Paperwork

If you're like most people, your car is probably filled with various receipts and other paperwork. Chances are you'll need some of this paperwork for tax reasons, especially if you're trading in or selling your vehicle to another person.

So before doing anything else, make sure that you have all of your paperwork organized and presentable. That way, when the time comes to do some tax-related transactions, you'll be organized and ready to go.

Inspect It Thoroughly

Before selling or trading in your car, be sure to inspect it thoroughly. This means walking around the outside and looking at its important components to make sure everything is working properly.

You may want to take it to a mechanic before doing this because they can give you an extra level of inspection that you're not able to do yourself. This will ensure that you're not selling your car with any hidden problems, and it'll give you peace of mind before the transaction.

This also means inspecting the interior thoroughly as well. That way, you can make sure that everything is in order and that there's nothing seriously wrong with the inside of your vehicle. If you're trading in your vehicle and the dealership offers to give it a quick wash and vacuuming, take them up on it. This will make sure that your car looks as good on the outside as it does inside.

Clear Out Unnecessary Items

Unless you're selling or donating everything in your car (which some people do), you'll likely want to clear out your car of unnecessary items such as trash or junk. If your car is full, then organize all of this stuff into boxes and label them according to where they go in the car – glove compartment, trunk, backseat

If there's anything left over after doing this, take care of it either by taking it to a donation area or throwing it away. That way, you have less clutter in the car when you sell or trade-in your vehicle.

Detail It to Give Stunning Look

One of the best ways to get a good deal for your vehicle is to make sure that it looks gorgeous on the outside. That way, when car dealerships or buyers go out and look at vehicles, they'll come back to yours because it's stunning.

So before you sell or trade in your car, take time detailing its exterior. This may mean a simple car wash and wax, or it could require a more extensive interior & extensive detailing session. If you want to get the best deal for your car, sometimes this is the way to do it – make sure that your vehicle looks great on the outside because people notice cars like these.

Want to get your car washed at your home?

No worries, University Mobile Detailers offers mobile detailing service all over the Sacramento area, ping us here to book your slot and give your vehicle a stunning look without moving out anywhere...

Repair Dents, if Any

If your vehicle has any dents, then it's best to take care of them before you sell or trade-in your vehicle. That way, when people look at the car, they'll instantly notice the dent and try to negotiate it down. This can significantly lower the price that you pay for your car exchange.

So take some time to repair any major dents that you find. Otherwise, your car will be lower in value because of a few small dents and scratches on the exterior. Need a quote?

Organize Upgrades For The Interior

If you have a recent model vehicle, then it's likely that parts of its interior aren't going to be as up-to-date as they should be. That way, potential buyers and sellers may try to negotiate you down because of outdated parts in the car.

So if you're going to sell your vehicle, then be sure that it has at least a few upgrades for its interior like new speakers or a new DVD player or something else that's brand-new and up-to-date. That way, people will be more impressed with the car's interior, and you'll get a greater return on your investment.

Have Records in Receipt

Before selling or trading in your vehicle, make sure that you have the sales records with you. That way, if anybody asks for proof of purchase, you can give it to them immediately.

If you're selling your car yourself, then this is something that can really impress potential buyers and sellers. Many people like to know that they're not only getting the car itself but that they're also getting all of the records on it. So make sure that you have this before you do any transactions.

This will allow anyone who buys your car to know that not only is it in good condition overall, but you've put a lot of time and energy into making sure it's a great vehicle.

Give It a Paint Correction Treatment

You may not think that painting your car is a major issue, but it can actually make a huge difference. If you bring somebody to look at your vehicle and they notice all of the scratches on its paint job, then it's likely that they won't even want to buy or trade with you because it looks like way too much work.

So before you sell or trade-in your vehicle, be sure that it has a paint correction treatment done on it. That way, the car looks brand-new, and nobody will question whether or not they want to buy it.

If they notice how clean and shiny the paint job is, then they may even pay top dollar for it because of this.

This is just like detailing your car, except done differently with paint instead of wax. If you want to learn how to increase car resale value, check out our blog article.

Ceramic Coating

One option that you can do is to have a clear ceramic coating applied to your car. This treatment will seal and protect all exterior surfaces of your vehicle by creating a layer on top of the surface. Ceramic coatings are stronger than paint and will be more difficult for rock chips and road debris to cause any damage.

Ceramic coatings will keep your paint looking fresh and new, keeping up the value of your car.

At University Mobile detailers, we offer ceramic coating services. Give this a try to protect your car's paint from any damage and increase trade-in value with diamond shine.

Decide How to Sell

You can sell or trade in your car yourself, or you can go through a dealer. Either way, make sure that you know how to do it properly before actually doing anything.

If you don't choose the right option for selling your vehicle, you may lose a lot of money. There are ways to sell and trade in your vehicle for maximum profit, but if you don't do it right, you'll quickly decrease the amount of money people are willing to pay.

Look For Promotions

Some dealerships actually offer great promotions on car sales. In fact, certain car exchange websites will even let you compare several different dealerships so that you can find the best price possible for your vehicle. That way, there's a lot more competition, and you have a greater chance of getting top dollar for your investment.

Want to Give Your Car Exterior Top-Class Look? 

If you're looking for a top-class car detailing, paint dent repair, and paint correction service in Sacramento, CA, then you need to look no further than University Mobile Detailers! We provide the highest quality services in the area, and we're dedicated to ensuring that your car looks as good as new.

We can help you get your car looking like it's just come off the showroom floor. Our team of experts will work tirelessly to make sure that your car looks its best, and we'll do it at a price that you can afford.

So don't wait any longer. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you get your car looking its best!