Tips for Maintaining the Resale Value of Your Car
One thing that every car owner should always be thinking about is their car’s resale value. Most US drivers own cars for less than a decade before selling or swapping them for something new. Maintain the resale value of your car by following our tips below.
Keep It Clean
The first rule of retaining and maximizing your car’s resale value is to keep it as clean as possible. Despite how simple this rule is, many car owners ignore it.
Keeping your vehicle clean goes beyond just taking it through an automated carwash; it also entails maintaining the inside to remove stains and lingering smells. To do so, invest in car cleaning supplies, like a floor mat cleaner and a steering wheel cleaner, to keep your vehicle’s interior clean and the car’s resale value strong.
Get It Professionally Detailed
Another tip for maintaining the resale value of your car is to get a professional detail. One of the reasons to hire a professional to detail your car is they bring professional equipment and skills to thoroughly clean your vehicle inside and out. As we mentioned above, this is great for the resale value.
A professional detailing service can wash and apply a coat of wax to your car. This coat adds a layer of protection and luster to your vehicle to prevent road salt and dust from leading to rust. To make the deal even better, many mobile car detailers will come to your home for added convenience!
Keep Up With Maintenance
When someone is looking to buy a used car, they want a vehicle they know has been cared for. If not, they’ll worry they’re buying a lemon and either lowball the seller or find a different car to buy altogether.
Make your vehicle attractive to potential buyers by always keeping up with the vehicle’s regular service schedule. This service should include the following:
- Oil changes
- Tire rotations
- Air filter replacements
- Battery checks
- Coolant flushes
Keep all the records of your car’s maintenance in storage. When it comes time to sell your car, you have documented proof you’ve taken good care of the vehicle.
Avoid Overwhelming Colors and Upgrades
Car buyers typically prefer cars with more muted, neutral colors. If your vehicle is a bright orange, pink, yellow, or other vibrant color, it’ll immediately turn away some buyers.
You should also be wary of adding too many aftermarket modifications to your car, including additions like spoilers, low-quality audio systems, window tinting, and even some engine modifications. You may want your car to look and drive like a high-performance machine, but such changes will limit interested buyers once you put the car on the market.