Preparing to sell your car is as nerve-wracking as it is exciting. You’re looking forward to buying yourself a new car — and hopefully upgrading. But you’re also working out exactly how much your car is worth, what needs to be done to sell it, and handling all of the admin involved.

We’ve prepared this guide for you. We’ll take you through all the essentials for selling your car, as well as those nice-to-haves, like fixing up scratches and dents and getting any necessary rim repairs completed.

The Essentials For Selling Your Car

Taking the necessary steps to have your car in its best condition for sale can involve you investing some time – and cash – but the rewards can be worth it.

Is it all safe and legal?

The very first and most important thing to consider is whether your car is safe and legal. It’s essential that you have a safety certificate, formerly referred to as a roadworthy certificate. 

In Queensland, you legally cannot list your car for sale without a safety certificate. The buyer will need the certificate to transfer the registration into their own name, so it’s essential you’re able to provide this upon inspection of the vehicle. To acquire a safety certificate, you need to have a safety certificate inspection completed.

What happened at a safety certificate inspection?

• The registration plate number, VIN, and engine number are each verified and recorded.
• Your seats, seat belts, mirrors, sunvisors, and windscreen vision are checked.
• The inspector will check how your steering linkages, wheels and their fastenings operate and they’ll ensure your tyres are in a reasonable condition.
• The suspension, wheel bearings, and steering will be looked at.
• Your car’s underbody, chassis, subframes, engine, suspension systems, exhaust, and brake system components will be checked.
• The inspector will also ensure your service brake and hand brake work.

What if I can’t get a safety certificate?

If you’re denied a safety certificate, there are a few things you can do. The first is to repair all the defects and safety issues specified by the inspector and have it inspected again. 

Otherwise, you can sell it unregistered. This involves a few extra steps and means that if the car needs to be driven somewhere for the buyer, you’ll need to obtain a permit first. If you don’t want to have the defects or safety issues repaired, you can sell the car to an auto dealer or a spare parts workshop. 

Do you need to make any repairs first?

Once you’ve had your safety certificate inspection, you should have a much clearer idea of what you need to do next. If the inspector highlighted any safety concerns or defects, you may need to have these fixed before you can get your hands on that safety certificate. 

When you’re selling your car, it’s ideal that the engine is in a good condition, but that it looks like it’s in a good condition as well. It’s always a good idea to have a mechanic do their own inspection. 

They’ll be able to identify any worn parts or leaks in the engine. A small oil or coolant leak may have your engine looking worse off than it actually is and will likely be worth the small repair fee.

Do you have your full service history available?

Missing service history is a surefire way to decrease your car’s market value. Buyers want the reassurance that the car they’re buying has been well-maintained. So, having your up-to-date logbook, fit with any receipts for work that’s been completed on the car is ideal.

Try and have all the documents you need to give your car’s new owner ready to go. This might include: the car’s manual, logbook, service history, and safety certificate.

Write a good description (and be honest)

Buyers can be apprehensive when they’re buying a used car. It’s a lot of trust to place in a stranger. So, being honest from the get-go is ideal. If you have alloy wheels, but they’re scratched a bit  — be sure to mention it. If there’s a dent in one of the doors, provide a photo. Try to be totally transparent about the condition of the car.

Take quality photos of your car

The quality of your photos can make a huge difference, so do your best to capture your car in its best light. Try to take nice, in focus photos of the car, ideally in the morning or afternoon when the sun’s just right. Have a think about the background too. Is there a green space or a rooftop car park nearby? 

Using photos from a nice location can be far more appealing than inside your garage or just out on your street. Avoid glare, harsh light, or unappealing backdrops. 

Know exactly what your car is worth

It’s a good idea to know what your car is worth before you list it for sale. You don’t want to list it for too little and miss out on a great opportunity. You also don’t want to list it for too much and miss out on suitable buyers.

You can work this out by looking on Carsales and Facebook Marketplace for similar cars. Remember to factor in the year of manufacture, the kilometres on your engine, and the general condition of the cars you’re comparing with.

You can also use car valuation tools online to get a clearer idea. Visit Drive or Carsales to get an idea.

The Deal-Sweeteners For Buyers

So, you’ve got the essentials for selling your used car under control. What else can you do to sweeten the deal and get your car sold? 

Wash & detail the car

Having your car freshly washed and detailed can boost its appearance and its saleability. Avoid having crumbs or dirt in the door jams, smudged windows, or a dusty dashboard. Make sure you pay attention to the boot and under the seats too.

Taking care of these small considerations will have your car looking newer and in a better condition.

Make sure the engine looks tidy

We touched on this earlier, but a dusty, dirty, or fluid-covered engine can make the car look like it’s in terrible condition. Having a clean and tidy engine will be much more appealing for the buyer. 

How do your wheels look?

Your wheels, tyres, and rims contribute so much to the appearance of your car. Whether you have mag wheels, alloy wheels, or standard steel rims, it’s a good idea to make sure these are clean and polished.

Wheels and rims do tend to get scratched. Consider having any necessary rim repairs completed before the sale. 

Consider fixing scratches and dents

Scratches and dents can have a surprising effect on the resale value of your car. If you can have these repaired at the right price you’ll be able to get a higher price for your car.

The post Preparing Your Car For Sale appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

In this article, we explore the key advantages of mag wheels so you can make sure you get the rims you really want.

Without any doubt at all, alloy wheels are the ideal pick for any car you’d want to be seen in. But what you may not realise is that not only do they look the part, alloy wheels come with a host of other benefits. In this article, we explore what alloy wheels are and why they are so much better than their traditional steel counterparts.

Then, you’ll be in a position to decide for yourself whether or not they’re worth it. But first…

What is an alloy wheel?

Originally made popular in motorsports, where performance is the key industry drive, an alloy wheel is made from a mixture of metals or other elements. Typically, in the 1960s, alloy wheels were made by combining magnesium with other materials, hence the term “Mags”.

These mag wheels really offered drivers a significant performance advantage, and were much better than the alternative aluminium alloys, which were having problems with consistency in the casting process.

But as technology has advanced over the decades, aluminium alloy casting techniques have been developed and now provide performance comparable to magnesium alloys at much more affordable prices. 

So now, you can have high-performance alloy wheels without them costing more than your car.  But why would you want alloy wheels? What’s the appeal?

Why get alloy wheels? 

Alloy wheels do come with a LOT of key benefits that go beyond the obvious cosmetic appeal.  They last longer, look better, and help your car perform better across all important performance measures. 

First, they dissipate heat a lot better. This may seem trivial, but it means that they remain cooler when driving, and that in turn produces much less wear and tear on the tyres. As the tyres last longer, there are obvious performance and economical benefits, needing to replace tyres less frequently.

Also, alloy wheels are completely airtight. This makes them excellent for tubeless tyres and gives them a major advantage over steel wheels. Most steel wheels result in tiny losses of tyre pressure, which may seem insignificant but they add up over time. 

In a similar vein, alloy wheels are generally lighter than steel wheels, so there are additional performance and fuel economy advantages (though, you’d need to drive an enormous amount for the fuel savings to have the rims pay for themselves over time). 

But this lower weight does come with performance benefits. As mentioned, it was originally in car racing that mags and aluminium alloys gained their foothold – this is because they decrease the “upsprung weight” on the vehicle. That means there’s less inertia on the springs, and that helps the suspension. All in all, you end up with better handling, braking, steering, and cornering, which are obviously very important on the track, especially the braking. 

But even if you aren’t a competitive racing driver, better handling is always going to contribute to a better driving experience. 

As mentioned earlier, the cosmetic appeal is a major factor in why most people choose to buy alloy wheels. Steel never looks as good as a magnesium or aluminium alloy. And with such a range of custom designs and styles, there’s the ultimate in flexibility to make sure your car looks absolutely awesome. And that’s very important if you’re considering selling your vehicle. A good set of rims can enhance the appeal of your car significantly. 

And that’s particularly evident when it comes to rust. Traditional steel wheels are susceptible to the elements, and irreversible iron oxide (rust) never makes a car look better. Stained red-brown wheels look awful and degrade quickly. Alloys, on the other hand, are far more rust and corrosion resistant, and much easier to polish to a high shine. 

Who gets alloy wheels? 

Traditionally, alloy wheels and ‘mags’ were only used in competitive racing, or at the very high end of the market. But as production technologies have become more economical, they’re now readily available across the full range of cars, from supercars right down to budget vehicles. 

You definitely don’t need to be in a MacLaren F1 to enjoy all the benefits that come from switching to alloys.

The post Why Buy Alloy Wheels?<br/>Do The Advantages Really Add Up? appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

(We Can Repair All Of Them!)

An alloy is technically a mixture of a metal and other elements. The different combinations create different alloys that all have different properties. These properties give each a different look and feel, as well as variations in performance and resilience to the elements. Generally, alloys are stronger and more resilient than pure metals, which is why people choose alloys where exposure to the elements can result in wear and tear.

Check out the full suite of alloy wheels below, and remember: if you need any repairs to bring your alloys up to looking absolutely fantastic, make sure you get in touch. Call 0416 527 220.

Aluminium Alloys Built For Strength

The most popular alloys are made with magnesium or aluminium. The aluminium or magnesium alloys are lighter than their pure-metal counterparts, but are just as strong. They also look a lot better. 

Steel, an alloy of iron and carbon, is the most common material used in wheel manufacturing. However, the term “alloy wheel” is used for wheels made from nonferrous alloys – alloys that don’t have any iron in them. Thus, when you hear the term “alloy wheel”, chances are the wheel is made using aluminium or magnesium. 

“Mag Wheels” – The Classic Look Of Magnesium Alloys 

The original “mag wheels” were made from magnesium and were originally used for racing. Then, throughout the 1960s, they became super popular in standard production cars. In fact, if you look at a classic car, it might even have pure magnesium wheels. Unfortunately, pure magnesium isn’t a great choice for wheels – it tends to pit, crack, and is more susceptible to corrosion.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for engineers to start developing other alloy types, and that’s when aluminium became more popular. Thus, the term “mag wheels” was widely used to refer to any die-cast wheels (see below) made from any modern materials, including aluminium alloy wheels, right through to plastic and composite wheels used for bicycles, wheelchairs, rollerblades, and skateboards. 

Low-pressure Die Casting

Die casting is a manufacturing process whereby the metal is melted under high heat. Then, under low pressure, the metal is sealed and a pressurized air or a ‘cover gas mix’ forces the molten metal up a straw-like filler tube into a mould, or ‘die’. 

There, the metal solidifies in its new form and you have an alloy wheel. When done properly, low-pressure die casting yields better results than standard cast alloy wheels.

High-pressure Die Casting

This process is very similar to the low-pressure die-casting process. The die is arranged in a large machine that has a high closing force. This forces the die closed. The molten magnesium is poured into a filler tube (in this case, called a shot sleeve). Then, a piston pushes the metal into the die very quickly under high pressure. Once the magnesium solidifies, the die is opened and you have a brand new magnesium, die-cast wheel. 

This method is much more economical than other methods, and results in lower prices for consumers, without compromising on corrosion resistance. However, they are less ductile and not as strong as low-pressure die-cast wheels. 

High-Performance Forged Wheels

Forging produces the best performance in alloy wheels – but it’s a complex process that often involves any combination of heating, rolling, applying high pressure, and hammering. The result is that the molecular structure of the alloy becomes simultaneously much stronger and lighter. They also have much higher ‘toughness’ and ‘ductility’ and aluminium wheels. On the downside, it’s a much more labour-intensive process and costs are therefore much higher. 

Multi-piece Alloy Wheels

Forged wheels can be forged in one, two, or three pieces. Where the wheel is made up of two or three pieces, the wheel merely needs to be assembled into the finished product. 

Aftermarket Wheels

If you’re looking for lighter or better looking wheels to give your car a certain look or style, there’s a broad range of alloy wheels for you to choose from, all the way from the standard 14 inch wheels, right through to the big 28-inches. 

However, research by Car and Driver conducted using a selection of differently sized alloy wheels from 16 to 19 in (41 to 48 cm) all outfitted with the same make and model of tires showed that both acceleration and fuel economy suffered with larger wheels. So, in conclusion, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the alloys you want. 

The post The Different Kinds Of Alloy Wheels appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

I guess you’re wondering when this will all be over. If you’re anything like us, you can’t wait for everything to get back to where it left off. 

Fortunately, at Advantage Alloy Repairs, we’ve made a number of small changes to our operations so we can continue pretty much as normal. 

Bottom line? We are fully operational and our team is available to repair any alloys as needed.

Safety is obviously of highest importance, so here’s a quick note on the measures we’ve taken to make sure you can have your alloys repaired during this strange time:

• Business as usual with only a slight adjustment to day to day operations
  
  
• All surfaces are meticulously wiped down after jobs to reduce any Covid spread
  
  
• We observe all social distancing measures
  
  
• Preference given to contactless payments, rather than cash, wherever possible
  
  
• No need for our staff to enter your vehicle – you can park it yourself in a dedicates spot, from which we’ll work only on the exterior
  
  
• We can cater to most specific requirements beyond these measures

We’d also like to underline our commitment to serving you and making sure that even during lockdown, you can still have a fantastic set of wheels. 

Warm regards, 

Advantage Alloy Team

The post An Important COVID-19 Message From Advantage Alloy Wheels appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

Nothing quite gives a car that X-Factor like an awesome set of alloy or mag wheels!

And nothing takes that X-Factor away like marks or dents in the rims. That’s why we take such precious care to ensure your alloys can be restored to their absolute best… and you can ride with pride. We know what your alloys mean to you. We know how to treat them properly, and we know how to do it without costing an arm and a leg.

Your alloys make your car instantly identifiable and unique to you

Which is what makes it extra painful when they sustain damage that diminishes this sleek and stylish appeal. It’s no surprise that the industry is absolutely rife with overpriced products and repair services.

Single replacement genuine wheel can cost anywhere from $350 right up to and beyond $3,000. That means you can expect to be paying well in excess of $12,000 to replace a full set. And for the right set of alloy wheels, it’s definitely worth it.

But only if you keep them in tip top condition all the time, which means you need an inexpensive way to keep and maintain your alloys so that you and anyone who sees your car is instantly impressed. Not only do you need an affordable service, you also need it to be efficient. It’s no good having a great car if it spends most of its time in a workshop having its alloys replaced. 

Most repairs these days take three to four days and cost well beyond $300 per wheel. That’s a pretty significant expense. But it doesn’t have to be, and it certainly isn’t with Advantage Alloy Repairs. 

That’s because we offer a mobile alloy wheel repair service that can potentially save you thousands upon thousands of thousands of dollars. Prices start from as little as $100 including GST per wheel. And it also saves you time.

In fact, it can take as little as 40 minutes per wheel, to get your mags looking like new. 

So, you really can have all the benefits of having awesome alloy wheels and have them maintained, in tip top condition, without losing your car for a few days and being laden with a massive bill just to have them restored like new.

Repairs for each wheel are priced individually depending on:

• the amount of damage to the wheel, the design
• the original paint finish and what type of alloy wheel it is.

We offer the:

• painted wheel repair
• machine face wheel repair
• shadow chrome wheel repair
• polished wheel repair
• mag wheel repair

We also cater for all the leading automobile brands – including Jaguar, Audi, BMW, and of course, Holden.

As mentioned our prices are extremely competitive, costing as little as $100 per wheel if there’s minor damage. At the top end, it only costs up to $220 including GST per wheel if there’s significant damage around the entire lip and wheel, and spokes.

Why are you so affordable?

Our services come at a fraction of what you’d expect to pay because we use a completely different model from the standard automotive workshop. Because we specialise in alloys and mag wheel repairs, we can run a much more economical model, where we come to you, greatly reducing our costs. 

We then pass this saving on to you, our customer. So you get the best of both worlds – speedy service AND a great price. 

This is completely different from what you’re probably used to, taking your car to a workshop where pricing is usually based off a flat rate, which means you end up paying a lot more than you need to. Additionally, we can also put highly competitive deals together. Right now, we can offer an awesome price on a set of four alloy mag wheels at $450 including GST (conditions apply).

The easiest way to find out exactly how much your alloy wheel repair or mags will cost is to take a photo and get a quick quotation. We’ll get back to you promptly and you will know exactly how much it’ll cost and how soon we can get there… 

But note, there’s no callout fee. Our service is a mobile service, but you pay only for the work done to your alloys, not for travel time or any additional expenses. 

Do you guarantee your work? 

We’re so confident in the skills and expertise of our team here at Advantage Alloy Repairs that we offer a 2-year warranty on all of our work. We provide craftsmanship and guarantee a high-quality finish that will bring your alloys up to showroom quality, every time.

Which areas do you service? 

We service all of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we accept Zip Pay for ease of transaction.

The post How much does an alloy wheel repair cost? appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

Alloy wheels are an excellent choice for your vehicle. They’re sleek, lightweight and durable – what more could you need? However, in order to keep your alloy wheels in great condition, they require proper maintenance. It doesn’t have to take hours to clean, polish and wax your alloy wheels to perfection. With regular cleaning (just as often as you wash your car) and correct technique, your alloy wheels will shine like new.

1. Assess the condition of your alloy wheels

Alloy wheels are susceptible to damage for many reasons, including:

• Corrosive brake dust
• Stones
• Potholes
• Kerbing
• Incorrect cleaning agents

Before you begin to clean your alloy wheels, check over each tyre to see if there’s any damage that would need a professional to look over.

Brake dust is made up of iron particles caused by the grinding motion of the brake pad and rotor. This highly corrosive material settles over wheels and can cause permanent damage.

2. Remove loose brake dust from your alloy wheels

It’s best to clean your alloy wheels before you wash your car to prevent any dust or dirt from splashing onto your newly cleaned vehicle. A warm day is ideal to clean them, but avoid doing it in direct sunlight.

Thoroughly rinse each alloy wheel with water to remove any loose dirt or grime settled on the surface. A hose will allow you to reach inside the spokes and tricky corners.

3. Clean your alloy wheels

Using an alloy wheel cleaner, spray each wheel individually. It’s important to use a wheel cleaner formulated specifically for alloy wheels to avoid causing damage.

With a soft sponge, microfibre towel or soft bristled wheel brush, gently scrub each wheel thoroughly and carefully. You won’t want to use any brush that’s too abrasive and could potentially end up with scratched alloy wheels.

Be sure to reach into every crevice for a complete alloy wheel clean.

4. Dry your alloy wheels

Run a clean, dry towel over your wheels immediately after cleaning to stop water spots from appearing.

5. Give your alloy wheels a good polish and wax

For the finishing touch, polish or wax your alloy wheels until they shine beautifully. The polish or wax you use will depend on the finish on your wheel. For example, a shadow chrome finish will require a chrome polish, and coated or painted alloy wheels will require a polish that will protect the finish. Use a clean rag to apply your polish or wax, and buff the wheels until glossy.

Have your alloy wheels been damaged by brake dust? Advantage Alloy Repairs performs alloy wheel repairs and refurbishments in Brisbane. Contact us today to receive a quote.

The post 5 Easy Steps to Clean and Polish Your Alloy Wheels appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels, it’s easy to get confused by the amount of options you’ve got available. After a bit of research, you’re likely to find the main competition is between alloy wheels and steel rims. To help find a winner, let’s pit them against each other once and for all. Here’s what we found in our alloy wheels vs steel rims debate.

Advantages of Alloy Wheels

There’s more to owning alloy wheels than just the appearance of them. Once you’re rolling, you’ll be provided with all the best performance your wheels can offer.

The blend of magnesium, aluminium, nickel, and sometimes carbon fibre or titanium can create a stronger, yet lighter wheel than steel alternatives. That lightness means you’ll have slightly faster acceleration and braking, and significantly less strain on your suspension. And if you’re putting the pedal to the metal, an alloy wheel will disperse heat better than a steel rim.

Disadvantages of Alloy Wheels

The money. There’s no doubt that alloy wheels cost more, and for the average driver, the performance benefits aren’t all that noticeable.

And, by presenting your wheels on surface-value (rather than behind hubcaps), there is a risk you’ll scar your alloy wheels. But professionals like Advantage Alloy Repairs can get your wheels back to mint condition – without breaking the bank.

Advantages of Steel Rims

If you need 4 round things to get you from A to B, steel rims are your answer. They’re the perfect budget solution to getting around. They can be protected with hubcaps, and repaired with the swing of a hammer (in the right circumstances).

Disadvantages of Steel Rims

Steel rims are the solution you opt for if driving isn’t your passion. If you’re after a true driving experience, or the best look for your car, you can’t go past alloy wheels.

If you decide for yourself that alloy wheels vs steel rims is a one-sided argument, be sure to give your alloy wheels the best treatment available. Stay in touch with Advantage Alloy Repairs for all repairs, and keep your precious wheels looking picture-perfect.

The post Alloy Wheels vs Steel Rims appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.

If you’re going to all the effort of adding aftermarket wheels to your beloved beast, you want to make sure they complement your car perfectly. But when it comes to the finish of the wheels, what’s the best option? Is the precision and detail of a machined-face wheel the best way to go? Or are you better off with the strength of the painted alloy wheel option?

Thankfully, we’ve got all the pros and cons you’ll need in deciding your next wheels.

Machined-Face Wheels

Machined-face wheels can achieve something regular spray-painted wheels never could. The surface of the wheel is spun as a machine gently removes a thin layer from the surface of the wheel. This exposes a smooth, shiny and consistent metal surface. And if the wheel was painted prior, the clever “paint in the pockets” look can be left behind – where the remaining surface is a pattern of the exposed raw metal and remaining paintwork.

So the looks are definitely a plus for machined alloy wheels – provided you don’t mind that the machine will leave lines similar to what you’d find on a CD. But the main con for machined wheels is the difficulty of repairing them. Unless you run the machine over it again, no touch-up fixes will ever get your wheels back to brand new condition.

Painted Wheels

Painted alloy wheels are definitely a simpler fix. You pick your colour, and it’s sprayed onto the surface of the wheel. And that’s whatever colour you like – gone are the days when you were stuck with grey and black as your only choices. They’re durable enough to withstand your day-to-day driving. But when the day does come that you chip the paint, a simple spray-over will see you off and running again.

So, what’s not to like? Well, painted wheels aren’t going to turn heads like machined wheels will. And once paint has been chipped off the wheels, it’s vulnerable and unprotected. So even if you buy painted wheels as a sturdier option, you still need to be incredibly vigilant with the condition of the paintwork.

Maintaining Your Wheels

No matter what wheels you opt for, the secret to their success is how you look after them. If you do find you need any help repairing or preserving your wheels, chat to the experts. Our team at Advantage Alloy Repairs have a wealth of experience in repairing all kinds of wheels, and we can give your car the VIP treatment.

To find out more about painted and machined wheels, chat to a friendly member of our team today on 0416 527 220.

The post Machined-Face Wheels vs Painted Wheels appeared first on Advantage Alloy Repairs.