Spending a few hours cleaning your car could add thousands to the car's value by giving it a cared-for look. You could hire a professional valeting service, but washing your car yourself will be much cheaper.

Give the bodywork a wash and remove watermarks with a leather cloth. Alloy wheel cleaner helps remove stubborn dirt from wheels and it's a good idea to replace damaged wheel trims.

A clean interior is as important as sparkling bodywork. Make sure you:

	Vacuum the carpets, mats and seats and empty the ashtray
	Remove rubbish from the boot and glovebox
	Wipe the dashboard and trim panels with a damp cloth
	Clean glass with a window cleaner and damp cloth

Buyers will want to see the car's history, so gather it all together and put it in a folder, removing any credit card receipts. Don't forget to include:

	The cars registration document
	Service history – receipts and service book
	Warranty documents
	The car's handbook