Used car sales: repairs to do before selling

Present a car in good condition at the time of service selling your car ensures you get the best price for it. If you don't want to do any repairs on your car, you're bound to get a lower price than the market. You will also be able to attract more buyers with a car in good condition, with supporting evidence (maintenance invoices).

Do not neglect the technical control

If your car is over 4 years old, you must carry out a technical inspection (MOT) at least every 2 years. Without valid technical inspection it is impossible to sell your car. It is compulsory to carry out a technical inspection in the 6 months preceding the sale. Even if you still have a little bit of time before your next inspection, it may be a good idea to do so before going on sale. This represents a pledge of seriousness for the potential buyer who thus has the proof that your car does not present any defect which could call into question the transfer.

By carrying out your technical control in advance, you also avoid the risk of having to carry out the technical control just before the sale. This is especially useful if you realize that your car has a defect and needs to be inspected. The reverse inspection does not prevent the sale but can cool the buyer.

The first thing to do when you want to sell your car is therefore to carry out a technical inspection (unless it has been done less than 6 months ago). The average price of a MOT in France is 65 euros.

In addition to providing reassuring proof to your buyer, the technical control report also allows you to know the general condition of your car and any repairs to be carried out before the sale.

Checking the condition of the tires

Tires are a part of the car that should be taken care of. These deteriorate over time and it is important to check their condition often. Tires in bad condition are dangerous, because your vehicle has degraded handling.

A tire burst at 100 km / h on the highway causes the total loss of control of the vehicle and an accident that can to be mortal. It is therefore important for your safety and that of the future buyer to sell him a car with tires in good condition. Moreover, selling a car with used tires is not a "seller" and will necessarily open the door to negotiation on the part of your potential buyers. Check your tires often and change them if necessary, it will be easier for you to sell your car!

Pay attention to the condition of your tires According to the highway code, the tires on your car do not must not be smooth and must have treads, the minimum height of which is 1.6 mm. The tire blanks must be intact (no cuts or hernias) and the canvas or iron must not be visible. Tires that do not meet these criteria result in a 4th class fine during a roadside check and a fixed fine of 135 euros. Your vehicle can even be immobilized.

Before selling your car, check your tire pressure. The lifespan of a tire varies between 20,000 and 50,000 km and depends on the use you make of your car (driving style, climate, speed, type of travel, etc.). The cost of a city car tire is around 50 euros (this can go up to 200 € or more for large sedan tires). Fitting tires in an auto center costs around 20 euros per tire. Also be aware that a car with excessively worn tires will not pass the MOT and therefore it will be difficult to find a buyer if you sell your car.

Check the brake pads and discs h2 >

Brakes are also a major component of road safety. Brake discs and pads are wearing parts, that is, they wear out a little more with each stroke of the brake. Indeed, during braking, the pads and discs perform a frictional movement and this leads to a loss of material from both the discs and the pads.

It is therefore important to check the braking system frequently, on average every 10,000 km (and before the sale of course). If the brake pads are less than 2mm thick, then they will need to be changed. The price of the pads depends on the type of car but is around thirty euros. The brake discs can also be changed and the price is around a hundred euros.

Changing your engine's oil

A good oil is essential for the proper functioning of the engine. However, over time the oil degrades and loses its properties. In addition, some of the oil evaporates and the level drops. These consequences should not be overlooked because they can both lead to engine failure.

It is therefore necessary to replace the oil in its engine, that is to say to change it. , at a frequency varying according to the type of engine from 10,000 to 30,000 km. The exact frequency for your car is entered in the maintenance log. The average price for a professional engine oil change is 150 euros. It is also possible to do it yourself by purchasing the necessary kits, which usually include filters to be changed, including the oil filter, which purges the oil of metal dust created by the friction of parts in the engine. You can do it at home or in a self-service garage.

Draining at home, be careful with your oil! If you change your engine at home, do not leave the used oil in nature. Indeed, motor oil has disastrous consequences on the environment. It is therefore essential to drop it off in places specializing in the treatment of this kind of waste (recycling center, auto center, etc.).

Change the timing belt

All first, the timing belt is only to be done on cars which have a timing belt. Cars that have a distribution chain are exempt. Changing the timing belt is an item in high demand by individuals looking to purchase a used car.

"Have you changed the timing belt? »Is a question you will have to answer. Changing your car's timing belt is therefore an operation that will allow you to sell your car at a better price and faster. This kind of repair reassures the buyer and shows them your goodwill.

The timing belt wears out over time. The wear is slow, so the belt rarely changes. The frequency varies enormously between different manufacturers (70,000 to 180,000 km and / or every 5 to 8 years). This operation is quite expensive, not because of the cost of parts but because of the cost of labor, changing a timing belt takes time. It will therefore take between 500 and 800 euros for this repair.

It's up to you to judge whether this is necessary before selling your car. This operation is useless if you have carried out it in the two to three years preceding the sale or if your car is recent (less than 4 years and 100,000 km).

The other small repairs which make the difference

The used vehicle market is extremely competitive. It is therefore necessary if you want to sell at the best price to stand out by presenting a vehicle as new. The favorite is often in the detail. Thus, small repairs that you do not think about can make all the difference.

Repairing the air conditioning before summer, for example, changing a USB socket that no longer works, replacing a burnt out bulb, repairing a screen - shocks damaged ... All these small repairs may seem futile but are important in the eyes of the buyer and will certainly influence his decision during the purchase!

And of course, even if it is not part of the repairs to be done, prepare your sale well. Have all the documents you need: vehicle registration certificate, administrative status certificate, technical inspection report, repair invoices, etc. The buyer will be reassured and will buy your car more easily!

The Kyump serviceTo sell your car at the best price, call on Kyump. Our expert mechanics carry out 2-hour inspections on 200 control points. This helps reassure potential buyers and get the best price for your car. In addition, we advise you on the repairs to be carried out before the sale and we highlight the operations carried out on the car as a selling point for the buyer. Estimate your car now and trust us to sell your car in 2-3 weeks.

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