Should I Service My Car Before Selling It?

When you’re ready to part ways with your car, you might wonder if giving it one last service is worth the effort and expense. After all, you’re selling it, right? But here’s the thing – the decision to service your car before selling can significantly impact its appeal to potential buyers and, ultimately, its selling price. Let’s dive into why servicing your car can be a smart move and how it affects your car’s value.

Key Takeaways

• What does car service history include?
• How does service history affect car valuation?
• Is a car worth less without a full service history?
• A Checklist For Selling Your Car
• The Easy Path to Selling Your Car, No Matter Its History

What does car service history include?

A car’s service history is a record of all the regular maintenance and major repairs it has undergone. This includes everything from oil changes and brake pad replacements to more significant work on shock absorbers and other critical components.

A complete service history will show dates, details of each service, parts replaced, and the service schedule followed. It’s usually documented in the car’s service book, with stamps from either a dealership or a certified mechanic, proving a dealer service history or a trusted mechanic’s oversight.

How does service history affect car valuation?

Service history plays a big role in determining a car’s value. Cars with a comprehensive service history, showing that they’ve been maintained at the correct intervals, tend to have a higher resale price. This record assures prospective buyers that the car has been well-cared for, potentially reducing the risk of future issues. Regular servicing, especially at a dealership, can add a premium to your car’s selling price, as it suggests a complete maintenance record.

Is a car worth less without a full service history?

In a nutshell, yes. A car with only a partial service history might raise red flags for potential buyers. It suggests that the car may not have received regular maintenance at the correct intervals, increasing the risk of hidden problems.

This uncertainty can significantly lower buyer confidence, reducing the car’s appeal and, by extension, its selling price. While it’s not impossible to sell a car with gaps in its service history, you might find that the vast majority of future buyers are hesitant, leading to offers well below what you were hoping for.

A Checklist For Selling Your Car

To make sure you get the best possible price for your car, keep the following things in mind:

• Tidy up the service book: Ensure your service book is up to date and showcases a history of regular servicing. It’s the first thing savvy buyers will want to see.
• Address any outstanding maintenance: Whether it’s swapping out weary brake pads or giving the shock absorbers a once-over, making sure your car is in prime condition is key.
• Showcase your car’s maintenance history: If you’ve kept up with the service schedule, especially with dealer service history, highlight it. It reassures buyers of the car’s reliability.
• Be upfront about past repairs: If your car has undergone major repairs, having clear records available can allay any fears about future issues.

The Easy Path to Selling Your Car, No Matter Its History

If you’ve got a car that’s a bit shy on its service history and you’re finding it a tad tough to get the deal you were hoping for, don’t sweat it. That’s exactly why we’re here.

At BigWantsYourCar.com, we get that every car has its own story, full-service history or not. We’re all about making the car-selling process as easy as pie, ensuring you walk away with a great price for your car without jumping through hoops.

Forget the headache of trying to convince picky buyers or worrying about getting undersold because of a few missed service stamps. We’re here to offer you a fair, hassle-free option that puts a smile on your face and the cash right in your hand.

We pride ourselves on being straight-up, efficient, and genuinely keen to make sure you’re as happy with the deal as we are with your car. So, why not skip the drama and let us take the wheel on this one?

Get your free valuation today.