Make easy fixes
Make easy fixes

If your car has a burned out headlight or taillight, replace it. If, at some point in your car's life, some miscreant popped the chrome badge off the grill, you should replace that, too, just so long as the replacement doesn't cost a lot.

Also, make sure there are no warning lights -- a.k.a. "idiot lights" -- glowing on the dashboard. If the "windshield washer fluid low" warning is on, top it off. If the check engine light is on, have it checked. It could be something simple and inexpensive to fix. (If it's not, you can either have it fixed or divulge the ugly truth to potential buyers.)

You may be tempted to just let the next guy worry about these things, but leaving anything unrepaired brings your care as an owner into question.

Remember, the damage to the car's value is beyond just the cost of the light bulb.


Last updated July 06 2011: 6:31 AM ET
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