Boost your car's resale value by £1,000 with a simple expert-approved fix

Daily Record

2 days ago

A seemingly small issue on your car could be losing you up to £1,000 when it comes to selling but a finance expert has revealed how to get the most money for your motor
Drivers looking to sell their motor could be missing out on as much as £1,000 – simply due to a few scratched alloy wheels, motoring finance experts at Bumper have revealed. Whilst countless sellers concentrate on the mileage or service records, Bumper cautions that aesthetic factors such as wheel appearance can seal or scupper a transaction with prospective purchasers.
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"Alloy wheels are one of the first things a buyer notices, and even minor cosmetic damage can become a negotiation point. Sellers might think it's only a small scratch, but buyers see cost – and often push for a significant discount."
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Fresh analysis by Auto Trader discovered that 64% of purchasers would think twice about buying a motor with severely damaged alloys, whilst more than a third would demand a £250–£500 price reduction.
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Certain buyers confessed they'd request £1,000 knocked off or even more.
However, according to Bumper, this type of financial hit can frequently be prevented.
"In many cases, you can refurbish a single alloy for as little as £60 to £120. Even if all four wheels need work, it's a fraction of what you'd lose through negotiation. It's one of the smartest pre-sale investments you can make."
Plus it doesn't necessarily require a complete garage overhaul either. "For light surface damage, confident sellers can use DIY kits with sanding paper, primer, wheel paint and lacquer – available from most motoring stores.
"But if the wheels are cracked, bent, or diamond-cut, professional repair is the safer choice," the spokesperson added.
Bumper also emphasises the significance of safety above cost-cutting. "If an alloy has deep gouges or any signs of structural weakness, refurbishment might not be enough. In those cases, replacing the wheel could be the best – and safest – decision."
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Their key advice? Give your alloys a thorough inspection before putting the vehicle up for sale online or visiting a dealership.
"Smart preparation always pays off," the experts explained. "If you've taken the time to clean and fix the wheels, it sends a message to the buyer that the rest of the car has been looked after too – and that can easily translate into a better offer."
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The guidance comes as many turn to online forums such as Reddit to seek advice about what they should do to secure the best price for their motor when selling.
Concentrating on the alloy wheel matter, one person recently enquired: "Is it worth restoring my alloys before I sell?", as they shared a photograph of the wheels in question.
They continued: "Looking for a bit of advice, I'm planning to sell my Ford Fiesta ST MK7.5 but my alloys are all curb damaged to varying extents.
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"My question is do you think it's worth getting them restored? Will I make the money back on selling?
"Best quote I have is £312 for 4 alloys which I believe to be pretty good, some pics of the alloys below. All help much appreciated!".
One person responded: "That's a decent price, and I think would definitely make your car more saleable."
While another motorist chimed in: "Depends how much you're selling the car for. I wouldn't buy a car with curbed wheels unless it was just some banger like the last e46 I bought."
Despite expert advice, many drivers expressed that they 'wouldn't bother' replacing them.