Pre-Sale Detailing: How to Add Thousands to Your Car's Value

Empty the car completely. I'm talking under the seats, in the glovebox, and that weird little cubby you forgot about. A buyer wants to imagine their stuff in the car, not see your old servo receipts and gym socks.

Always start with the wheels. They're usually the filthiest part. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner and a brush. If you do them last, you'll just splash brake dust all over your clean paint.

Spray your APC in the door hinges and boot shut-lines. Use a brush to agitate the grease and leaves. Rinse carefully. Buyers always check these spots to see if the car was actually cared for.

Cover the alternator and any exposed air intakes with plastic bags. If you have an older car with a distributor, cover that too. Don't go nuts with the water here, it's about a light mist and cleaning.

Cover the whole car in foam while it's dry. Let it sit for 5 minutes (out of the sun!) to soften up the bugs and dust.

Wash from the top down. Roof, then bonnet, then boot, then sides. Rinse your mitt in the 'rinse' bucket after every panel to keep the 'wash' bucket clean.

Spray an iron remover over the paint. It'll turn purple as it reacts with brake dust. Rinse it off thoroughly after 2-3 minutes.

Use plenty of lubricant and glide the clay over the paint. Once the paint feels smooth as glass, you're ready. This makes a massive difference to the final shine.

Use your big microfibre towel. Don't rub; just lay it across the surface and pat it to soak up the water. Use a leaf blower if you have one to get water out of the mirrors.

If you've got swirls, use a light finishing polish on your DA machine. You aren't trying to remove every deep scratch, just get the 'haze' off so the paint pops in photos.

Apply your sealant or wax. This adds that 'wet' look and protects your hard work while the car is listed.

Heavy vacuum. Use a brush to loosen dirt in the carpet fibres. Go over it twice. Don't forget the 'nooks' between the seat and the centre console.

Wipe down all plastics with APC and a microfibre. No 'shiny' dressings, they look cheap. A matte finish is what you want.

If there are stains, use the steamer. It lifts dirt and kills bacteria (and smells). It's the best way to get that 'new car' scent back without using a spray.

If you've got leather, clean it with a dedicated cleaner. Don't use those 'all-in-one' wipes; they leave a greasy film that makes leather look worn out.

If the lights are yellow, use a kit to clear them up. Cloudy lights make a car look 10 years older than it is.

The inside of the windscreen is usually covered in a film of dust and dashboard 'off-gassing'. Clean it twice. A buyer sitting in the driver's seat will notice a dirty window immediately.

Once the bay is dry, use a water-based dressing on the plastics. It makes the engine look brand new. Avoid oil-based ones; they just attract more dust.

Apply your tyre dressing. If you have faded black plastic trim (standard on every SUV), use a trim restorer to bring back the black.

Walk around with a fresh microfibre. Check for wax residue in the gaps and streaks on the glass. This is where you find the little things a buyer might use to haggle.