A used car comes with its previous owner’s life in it: their dust, their spills and sometimes their smells. Before you settle into it, a thorough first clean turns it into your car. It is also the best time to notice anything the seller did not mention.
Why start with a reset
You do not know how the car was cleaned, or whether it was cleaned at all. Dirt collects in seams, vents and carpets where a quick wash never reaches, and stains that are a few years old are far easier to deal with before you add your own. A first-week reset gives you a clean baseline to look after from here.
Your first-week checklist
- Empty the car completely. Check the boot, the glovebox, the door pockets and under the seats.
- Vacuum deeply. Do the seats, the carpets, the boot and the gaps between the seats and the console.
- Check the seats and carpets for stains and smells. If you find them, an upholstery and carpet deep wash (from R600) is an extraction clean, stain removal and a freshen up.
- Wash the outside properly. A snowfall wash is R200.
- Look at the headlights. If they are yellow or foggy, headlight restoration is R400.
- Check the paint in direct sun. Dullness and fine circular scratches can be improved with a machine polish.
- Lift the bonnet. A dusty, oily engine bay is normal on an older car, and engine bay detailing (R350) cleans it up and makes leaks easier to spot.
- Clean the mats and the boot. Take the mats out and clean them separately.
What to look for while you clean
Cleaning a car closely is a good way to learn it. Keep an eye out for:
- Damp carpets or a musty smell, which can point to a leak somewhere
- Stains or marks that are worse than you were told about
- Paint that is faded, chipped or has been repainted unevenly
- Fresh oil residue in the engine bay
- Wear on the seats, steering wheel and pedals that does not match the mileage
Detailing is not a mechanical inspection, and a clean car is not proof that nothing is wrong with it. But if you find something while you are cleaning, take photos and speak to a mechanic before you assume the worst.
The one-visit option
If you want the whole car reset in one go, our full valet detail covers the exterior and interior detail, wheels and tyres, and dressing, from R900. We come to your home or workplace, so you can have it done the day you collect the car.
What a first valet covers
A full valet detail covers the exterior and interior detail, the wheels and tyres, and dressing. For a used car, it is a thorough way to reset everything in one visit, and it gives you a clean baseline from which to notice anything that needs attention.
Keeping it clean from day one
- Wash the car regularly, using the method in our guide to washing without scratching.
- Vacuum the carpets and seats often, and deal with spills straight away.
- Use floor mats and clean them regularly.
- Follow a sensible rhythm for washing and detailing. See how often to detail your car.
Where to spend first
If the budget is limited, start with the things that affect comfort and safety. That usually means stained or smelly seats and carpets first, then cloudy headlights, then the paint. If the car has a lingering smell, our guide on how to get rid of bad smells is a good place to begin.
Questions to ask yourself while you clean
- Is anything worn or damaged that I was not told about?
- Are there stains, marks or smells that I should deal with first?
- Do the headlights look clear and bright?
- Does the engine bay show any fresh oil or damp?
- Is there anything in the boot or door pockets that belongs to the previous owner?
