February 24

How to Make and Keep Trucks Resale Ready

Last Updated on March 29, 2023

That truck’s been sitting in the same spot for some time now, gathering dust and losing value. Though you want to resell it, you’re just not sure when and may not even know how. Rest assured, there’s definitely a way to get some buck for your truck, a process less scary than you might think. Here’s how to make and keep trucks resale ready.

Which trucks sell?

For starters, making your truck resale ready requires knowing which trucks are most likely to sell. While you could potentially find a customer for any truck, some are more likely to grab a buyer than others. Some trucks will sell for more than others. Some will sell sooner than others. An older vehicle that’s not vintage, won’t sell for as much as something that’s current. However, you’re more likely to find a buyer faster.

The same logic applies to a truck model that has experienced a bunch of recalls compared to one that hasn’t. The price and resell speed will vary.

Here are a few criteria to consider when determining what exactly your truck has to offer:

Resale criteria infographic

Brand Reputation

Truck brands carry a reputation, for better or for worse. Some are known for fuel efficiency and technology, others for towing capacity. If you want to resale your vehicle, make sure it’s a truck from a brand that has a reputation for at the very least, reliability and quality. These factors increase the truck’s resale value and make finding customers easier. Buyers aren’t interested in used vehicles that don’t have a long lifespan left in them or weren’t good quality from the start.

Model Popularity

The ideal truck to resell will be one that is a popular model. This is because finding a potential buyer will be far easier, and likewise, requesting a higher price. Another idea to consider is which trucks are popular in your specific locale. Do your neighbors tend to prefer heavy-duty trucks or something lighter? Are they seeking trucks that offer great towing capacity or great fuel efficiency for simple commutes? Answers will vary depending on whether you live in the city, suburbs, or out in the countryside.

Fuel Efficiency 

Trucks with better fuel efficiency attract more buyers because they save money on gas. Today’s environmental awareness means the more modern the vehicle the more likely the truck will have better fuel efficiency. This is especially useful for people who live in the city and deal with plenty of stop-and-go traffic. In this environment, trucks burn more fuel and thus require more frequent trips to the gas station. Fuel efficiency is also important during periods of economic turmoil where gas prices change on a whim. If you are looking to resell a diesel truck, know that finding customers will be more challenging during these times because diesel on average costs more than gas.

Maintenance History 

Make sure the truck you wish to resell is one that has a well-documented maintenance history. The information you have, the better. This demonstrates the truck has been properly maintained and therefore increases resale value. A truck without a maintenance history is one that can be resold, but at a far reduced price. Automotive buyers want to invest confidently in purchases. A lack of maintenance history could mean many expensive repairs in the future.

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Warranty 

The manufacturer’s warranty is an important resell factor because it gives potential buyers peace of mind. Much like the concern over maintenance history, a warranty instills confidence in a buyer’s decision. They know that if anything unexpected goes awry, they won’t have to pay out once again for another vehicle.

Condition 

When you choose a truck to resell, pick one that is in good condition. That means a vehicle with minimal cosmetic damage or mechanical issues – inside or outside. The less problems the truck has to start, the better. Your vehicle doesn’t have to be perfect to resell, but should be more than just presentable or functioning. Remember, what makes reselling easier is providing a product buyers can put confidence in. Make sure the truck is appealing to prospects visually, runs well, and thereby increase your resale value.

Features 

A truck with in-demand features is a truck that’s high in demand. Such features include a towing package, off-road capabilities, a large bed, modern tech, and more. These traits are attractive to customers seeking automobiles that offer present-day conveniences. If your truck features these amenities then you’re in good shape. The more modern your vehicle is, the less likely you are to have trouble with this specific criteria.

While this list serves as a guide, ultimately, as long as you take care of your vehicles, you’ll have a much easier time finding customers later. Well-maintained vehicles have a higher resale value in the future.

Maintenance and Repair Work

The next step in making a truck resale ready is to perform some maintenance and repair work. That means cleaning and even detailing the vehicle. Buyers have an idea of what to look for when determining if a vehicle is in good or bad shape. You want your truck to stand out, but for all of the right reasons.

Here are some steps for you to follow:

Maintenance and Repair Work infographic

Perform Necessary Maintenance and Repairs 

Ensure the truck is in good mechanical condition by checking and fixing any known issues with the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, and other systems. Trying to sell your vehicle with problems brings down its value. And don’t forget, you should also get a tune-up and oil change. If you decide not to repair something, be upfront about the issue when attempting to make the sell. Transparency is a good sign of quality customer service, and will bring in new buyers if you manage a reselling business.

Clean and Detail the Truck 

Thoroughly clean the exterior and interior of the truck. The process should encompass washing and waxing the body, cleaning the windows, along with vacuuming and scrubbing the inside. Consider getting the truck professionally detailed to maximize cleanliness. This way a professional notices and cleans up the things you potentially missed.

Replace Worn or Damaged Parts 

If any truck parts are worn out or damaged, replace them. Otherwise, you risk losing resale value. Worst case scenario, you botch a potential sell because someone deems the purchase a risk too great. Areas in the truck that could be potentially worn or damaged include the seats, floor mats, and dashboard. Knowledge of what specific things tend to affect your truck and at what mileage are helpful with this step.

Make any Necessary Cosmetic Repairs 

Appearances matter. If there are any scratches, dents, or other cosmetic issues with the truck, consider getting them repaired. Cosmetic repairs are needed anywhere there is a dent or scratched paint. As with worn or damaged parts, the more problems the vehicle has, the less the resale value. Sometimes, even if the vehicle doesn’t have many problems, but looks aesthetically bad, buyers will pass over it.

Test Drive the Truck 

Before putting the truck up for sale, take it for a test drive. That’s the only way to know if everything is working properly, inside and out. This way you will have an opportunity to identify any and all issues that need addressing before selling off the truck.

Resale Turn-offs

There are good things buyers look for when searching for a vehicle, and there are some turn-offs they seek to avoid. A turn-off could make the difference between a completed or cancelled sale. Some common turn-offs buyers find in used trucks include:

Resale turnoffs infographic

Excessive Rust or Corrosion

As discussed earlier, your truck visuals matter. Rust can significantly decrease the vehicle’s resale value for aesthetic and practical reasons. Rust is a sign of wear and tear, and an indication the vehicle may have not received the best upkeep. The more corrosion the more concern the potential buyer will have, leaving them to speculate that the truck is both unworthy to purchase and also unsafe.

Dented or Scratched Body 

Likewise, dents, scratches, or any other body damage can be unattractive to prospects and make your truck look worn-out and neglected. Most people don’t associate dented and scratched trucks with careful and safe drivers. Make sure your vehicle is a positive representation of you.

Poor Maintenance 

A poor maintenance history is a red flag for buyers, and understandably so, as they could end up with costly repairs down the road. Buying a truck with a long list of issues means incurring plenty of expense, time receiving repairs, and other inconveniences. If you keep your truck well-maintained, reselling will come much more easily.

High Mileage 

A truck that’s high in mileage is one that’s been heavily used and likely has more wear and tear than a truck with lower mileage. Potential buyers will be weary of incurring more costs after their initial purchase, costs that come in the form of needing to replace parts like brakes, tires, spark plugs, etc. If you haven’t replaced those parts that usual give out at a certain mileage, then the buyer will have to chose whether or not they want the responsibility.

Dirty or Cluttered Interior 

A dirty or cluttered interior can make a truck look unkempt, and give the impression that the previous owner did not take good care of the vehicle. The buyer will be left noticing problems, and wondering what issues exist that remain unseen. The more doubt the prospect feels, the less likely you are to make the sell.

Best Time to Sell

All of the information so far has illustrated the condition your truck should be in before you resell, but how do you know when is the best time? These factors should help:

Timing of New Model Releases 

Typically, trucks will have the highest resale value before the release of a newest model year. That means that with every new model, older versions respectively go down in value. Since the current model year trucks will become less desirable you want to put your truck up for sale before then.

Seasonality 

Spring and summer are generally considered the best times to sell a used truck, as these are the busiest months for car dealerships and more people are in the market for a vehicle. If you’re going to plan your reselling business accordingly, be sure to start preparing well in advance before the start of these seasons.

Market Conditions

If the economy is strong and there is high demand for used trucks, that’s a good time to sell. Conversely, if the economy is weak and there is low demand, waiting to sell the truck until conditions improve is a good idea. With any of the planning you do, ideally you want to make as much money as possible, while not waiting long for a customer.

Personal Circumstances

Your personal circumstances, such as a change in job, family size, or transportation needs, can also impact when it’s the best time to sell your truck. Be sure your life is in order before starting your resale venture. This is especially important is reselling is something you plan on doing regularly. You want to make sure you have the time, energy, and resources necessary for maintaining the business.

Conclusion

That truck has been sitting in the driveway or garage or behind the house for too long. Now you’ve read what to do next to clear up some space and make some money in the process. On the other hand, if you’re looking to buy vehicles to resell then Municibid has a long line of used cars and trucks to offer. You’re bound to find something interesting in our catalog to add to your own!


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