7 Interior Accessories to Make Your Used Car Look Brand New

Buying a used car is a great way to save money, especially if it’s going to be your teen’s first car or your family’s second vehicle. While it may not come fresh off the assembly line with the new-car smell that drivers love, there are easy and inexpensive ways to make it look and feel brand new. A great way to spruce up any pre-owned vehicle is by adding interior accessories in the passenger cabin.

There are a plethora of options when it comes to aftermarket interior accessories. Here are some of our top recommendations:

Seat Covers

Price Range: $100-$250 

There’s no better way to spruce up your interior than buying new seats or reupholstering them. But if you don’t have the budget to do either, buying aftermarket seat covers may be the best option for you.

Seat covers will hide stains and faded upholstery, making your seats look nice and tidy again. They also provide UV protection to prevent fading and sun damage. If your car has heated seats, you need to choose seat covers with materials that won’t interfere with the warming mechanism. Check out this guide about heated seats to learn more.

You can buy seat covers individually, in sets, or as part of a kit. They’re available in different materials and designs, so it’s a great way to customize your ride.

Carpet Kits

Price Range: $100 – $250

Want to replace your vehicle’s old, dirty, or worn-out carpets? An aftermarket carpet kit might be just what you need.

Carpet kits come with floor coverings that are molded or precisely cut and sewn to fit over the contours of your ride’s floor pan. They’re available in universal and direct-fit options for easy installation. They also come with a wide variety of colors and materials, so you won’t run out of ways to customize your vehicle.

Floor Mats

Price Range: $100 – $500

Old, worn-out floor mats usually have holes and smell bad because of mold and hard-to-remove stains. Not only are they unsightly and potential health hazards, but they also can’t effectively protect your car’s floor from stains and spills, so it’s best to replace them.

Get premium floor mats to keep your floor safe from spills, dirt, mud, debris, and other contaminants. There are many all-weather floor mats and carpet mats available on the market, so you’d surely find one that’s perfect for your ride.

Can’t decide on a floor mat? Narrow down your options to the best floor mat brands. Compare their products and determine the one that best fits your needs and driving habits. For instance, if you often travel through muddy terrains and track silt and sludge into your cabin, then consider investing in a mold or mildew-resistant floor mat.

Dash Cover

Price Range: $100 – $250

Vehicle dashboards tend to fade or crack over time, especially when it’s frequently exposed to the heat of the sun. That’s why some owners replace their dashboard when doing an interior makeover. If your used car’s dashboard has seen better days but you’d like to save money on replacing it, you can invest in an aftermarket dash cover instead.

A dash cover will not only cover up the flaws on your dashboard but also give your vehicle a new customized look. Dash covers are usually available in different materials like plastic, thermoplastic polymer, polyester, and vinyl. They also come in different colors like black, gray, tan, red, blue, green, and more.

Sun Visor

Price Range: $50 – $250

Sun visors aren’t immune to wear and tear. So if you’re upgrading your interior’s look, it would be a good idea to add sun visors to the list.

Sun visors don’t cost a lot, so you won’t have to set aside a big chunk of your budget to have them replaced. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and styles, so you can use them to customize your cabin. Stay safe on the road and block that distracting glare of sunlight by buying high-quality sun visors for your ride.

Steering Wheel Cover

Price Range: $50 – $100

It’s natural for the steering wheel to fade, dry out, or crack over time. If you’d like to give yours a new look without outright replacing it, buy a steering wheel cover.

Aside from adding style to your interior, this accessory will also help protect your steering wheel from damage. Many of these covers have supportive cushions, helping owners drive for hours without feeling any hand pain or stiffness. Get a tighter grip on your steering wheel and enjoy more comfortable road trips with a high-quality steering wheel cover.

Headliners

Price Range: $250 to $350

Your headliner is the first thing anyone inside your vehicle sees when they look up, as it’s the multilayered material that covers your car’s roof from the inside.

A sagging headliner is an eyesore, not to mention a health hazard if it has mold or mildew buildup, so it’s best to replace it right away. Make sure to check product specifications to ensure you’re buying a headliner that’s compatible with your ride.

More Tips on Making Pre-Owned Vehicles Look New Again

Aside from buying car interior accessories and replacing faulty components, here are other ways to breathe new life into your vehicle’s interior:

Get Rid of Clutter

Remove any form of clutter left inside the car. These include unused items, water bottles, faulty charger cables, and other things that you won’t need when you’re on the road.

Deep Clean Your Interior

Deep cleaning will have your car looking and smelling good. If you’re doing the cleaning yourself, make sure to read up on how to clean your vehicle’s cabin properly to avoid damaging interior components. Use proper cleaning tools and solutions as well.

Get New Windshield Wipers

If your car’s windshield wipers aren’t in their best condition, it may be time to replace them. After all, dirty or malfunctioning wipers can leave unsightly streaks on your windshield, obstructing your view of the road.

Doing an interior makeover doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. As long as you know your vehicle’s specifications, finding car accessories for your ride will be a breeze.