To clean or not to clean a car before part exchanging.

[Bee1511]

The car I’m trading in is only worth £1000. But I’ve looked after it well and is generally quite clean and the upholstery is all in fantastic condition for its age.

But due to being ill, the wet weather, living in a rural area it’s very muddy! And the inside could with a vacuum and wipe over but it’s not been dry enough to do it.

It’s going later or tomorrow but I am not sure if have time to do it!

Would it be bad if I didn’t? I’m talking crumbs, grass and muddy foot prints. Nothing extreme.

It’s far from being in a terrible state.

Do you clean before part exchanging?

The likelihood is that if I clean the outside it will be filthy by the time I drive to get the new one anyway.

yes I would; depending on the garage they might use it as an excuse to 'take a final look over' and knock you.

Yes, i'd be embarrassed to hand over a dirty car, same as selling a house imo

It would take ten minutes max to hover briefly and then another ten minutes to drive it through the automatic car wash at a garage.

If they decide to knock a hundred quid off you might regret not finding those few minutes.

Get your food out of it at least.

I wouldn't worry it's only going to go into auction. Years ago I used to work in a car auction, we'd get part ex cars full of belongings, pushchairs, rubbish etc.

I definitely would, half an hour max to get it looking nice.

I put mine in part exchange a few weeks ago (it was also £1000 and going into an auction) and I just did a quick wash on the outside to get rid of a bit of mud. The inside wasn't too bad anyway. They won't knock £100 off the price because it's a bit grubby unless, perhaps, it was pristine when they saw it the first time and you've driven down a muddy track and had a messy picnic in the car since.

There’s no food or any rubbish in it. I empty it every time we use it. I have ocd. It’s empty apart from kids car seats which will come out last minute. I’ve looked after it really well. It’s just a few crumbs, stones, grass that needs hoovering and the outside a wash. The upholstery is immaculate. It’s dry at the minute so I’m gonna get out and do it myself now. Nearest jet wash is 20 minutes away and I just don’t have the time today 😱

Despite its age and mileage the car should be a good run around for someone! We just need something bigger!