How a $30 Engine Detail can raise the value of Your Car $300

Everyone who has ever sold their car has been asked to lift the hood for their prospective buyer.  In truth, LOOKING at an engine you can learn almost nothing.  Dirty, clean, dusty…whatever…it’s what you CAN’T see (pistons, rings, fluids) that matters…right?  Not quite!  People are strange, visual creatures.  When they see a CLEAN engine they make the inference that it’s a HEALTHY engine.  Some (actually a very sizable number) buyers won’t pay the extra money for a vehicle inspection if it  looks and smells almost like new.

So, even if you have  invested the time and money to keep your engine in fantastic shape, even a book full of receipts won't make the psychological impact that a completely clean and dressed engine will.  It doesn’t take long (about 30 minutes), is completely safe (yes, modern car engines can be washed…they were designed for that), and can easily be included in most pre-sale detail jobs for about $30.

Selling a car can be a challenge.  Finding that just-right buyer who sees eye-to-eye on the value of your car can take some work.  You need every edge you can get, and for $30, a showroom-new engine bay is a can’t-miss detail that you should add to your pre-sale preparations.