Things like car age, mileage, condition, and popularity play into your car's value more than other factors. But cosmetic and common-sense improvements to your vehicle can work in your favor when it’s time to sell or trade in your vehicle.

• Clean the exterior and interior before taking to the dealer
• Take care of minor maintenance tasks (tire pressure, oil changes, etc) to make sure that the car is running smoothly and that the check engine light isn’t on.
• Consider replacing bald tires or missing hubcaps ahead of time.
• Gather any extra accessories like extra sets of keys, transmitters, navigation system DVD/SD cards - anything that should be included with the trade-in so you can get credit for those features.
• Have an idea of your car's estimated value after fully inspecting the vehicle so you have a more accurate idea of what to expect when you get to the dealership. Use our 30-Second Instant Appraisal tool at the top of this page for an instant price.