BOOSTING VALUE: HOW TO GET THE BEST PRICE FOR YOUR CAR

If you're buying a new car, you probably need to sell your old one, in which case some simple planning will help you to get the maximum price for it

- Tom Barnard

WHEN you're buying a new car, you'll normally take plenty of time to check all the details then haggle hard to get the best deal. But if you don't pay the same attention to selling your own car, you could be wasting thousands.

Spending a few minutes with a sponge, tracking down your car's documents, having small repairs done or retrieving a spare key can add around £2,800 to the value, according to experts.

The official figures speak for themselves. Most dealers will judge the value of a used car via an industry-wide grading system from a company called CAP. The overall condition is rated using the following categories: 'Clean' condition should have a full service history and only minor wear and tear. The 'Average' level will include multiple small scratches, scuffed alloy wheels and missing keys or manuals. 'Below' condition will mean more damage and lots of missing paperwork.

The difference between the values is substantial. For example, a three-year-old Ford Puma ST-Line will have a trade value of £11,550 in Clean condition, but only £9,200 if judged Below. A Kia Sportage of the same age falls from £17,400 to £14,700, while a Tesla Model Y drops from £23,050 to £20,250.

For advice on how to maximise your car's value, we spoke to Sam Luscombe, sales director at Luscombe Suzuki, Mitsubishi & MG in Leeds, who buys around 125 used cars per month, and Jim Ronan, an auctioneer who has been selling cars for more than 30 years.

CLEANING

Cost: £1-£100 plus

Time: One hour plus

Added value: 10-20%