Used cars lose value, there’s no doubt about it. But some vehicle owners tend to keep their car’s resale value pretty high compared to others with similar vehicles. How exactly do they do it? It’s simple – they know what to pay attention to while owning the car. Today, we’re going to show you several tips you can follow to keep your car’s resale value high.
When you buy a used car, the price probably feels too high, especially these days with record high used car prices. On the other hand, when you sell your vehicle, you may feel like the offers you get simply aren’t enough. By following the tips below, however, we’re sure you’ll learn some things that will help you sell your used car for a higher price once the time comes.
How to Keep Your Car’s Resale Value High
Without further ado, let’s see all the tips and tricks you should follow to keep your car’s resale value as high as possible.
1. Regularly Maintain Your Vehicle
Regularly maintaining your vehicle is the most important thing you should do while owning the car, including changing the engine oil. Never skip any services, especially if you’re using your car a lot or live in a large city with daily traffic jams.
Here are the essential things you should regularly check and replace or change on your car:
- Engine oil
- Transmission oil (if you drive an automatic)
- Engine coolant (antifreeze)
- Filters (cabin filter, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter)
- Brake fluid
If you don’t maintain your car regularly, you could end up with bigger problems and your vehicle won’t last as long. Just like following a healthy diet helps keep people healthy, following a preventative maintenance schedule keeps your car in great shape.
2. Keep The Car’s Service History Book Updated
Whether it’s in a folder, notebook, or some other type of file, keeping detailed and accurate records of what’s been done to your vehicle can help you get a higher price when you go to sell it. In fact, individuals who retain and organize all this information, including the service details and receipts, are more likely to sell their car quicker and for a higher price.
Whenever you replace, change, or update something on your vehicle, document it carefully, ideally with a receipt from the auto repair shop where the work was performed. We also recommend you write the mileage on each receipt (if it’s not already noted by your mechanic) so it’s easy to see precisely when a specific part was replaced or serviced.
3. Keep the Car Interior and Exterior Clean and Protected
First impressions make a difference when selling your car. Interior and exterior imperfections are something a potential buyer will be able to see immediately. If you have plenty of them, your car’s resale value may not be very high or it may take longer to sell it.
Here are a few things to pay attention to:
- Gently wash your car without scratching the paint (don’t use sponges – use wash mitts instead).
- Apply high-quality car waxes or sealants to keep the paint protected from UV rays and other contaminants while also improving the shine and gloss of the paint.
- Vacuum the interior regularly, and clean any stains as soon as possible.
- Protect all the plastics, leather, and vinyl in your car with proper conditioner such as Nexgen Interior Conditioner.
We suggest you wash your car at least once a month, but if you have more time, doing it twice a month is even better. Just make sure to avoid automatic car washes since they tend to scratch the paint.
4. Don’t Smoke In Your Car
Smoking in your car is one of the worst things you can do, and it’ll significantly reduce the car’s resale value! Here’s why you should avoid smoking in your car:
- The ashtray and everything around it will become difficult to clean.
- You may inadvertently burn the car’s seats.
- The car headliner will become yellowish and smelly, and cleaning cigarette smoke from car headliners isn’t an easy job.
- Even if you stop smoking in your car, the cigarette smell will linger so it’s best not to start!
5. Buy Cars That Keep Resale Value High
One of the best tips we can share is to buy the right car in the first place. Do your research and choose a vehicle that will keep its resale value much higher than others. Even though it may cost you more in the first place, you’ll get a much better car but also a higher price when you decide to sell it.
If you’re buying Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Dacia, Hyundai, Fiat, or similar, expect them to lose a lot of value. Also, if you like buying high-end vehicles, buy them when they’re 3-5 years old because they lose most of their value in the first three years.
We highly recommend our pre-purchase inspection whenever you’re buying a used car. That way, you’ll ensure that everything’s in excellent condition and that you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
6. Schedule Auto Repairs When Needed
When we tell people about some problems with their cars, the most common phrase we hear is, “It can last for a few more months.” Don’t wait! If your trusted mechanic recommends a particular service or repair, it’s best to heed their advice and schedule an appointment right away. By fixing small problems when they arise, you can prevent damage to other car parts and potentially save yourself some money while also helping to maintain your car’s resale value.
We’ve witnessed people having to sell their cars for a much lower price because they didn’t fix a small problem before it became a big one. Or, simply because they ignored too many problems and ended up with too many issues to fix all at once.
7. Be a Longtime Owner
Would you rather buy a car from someone that’s owned it for three months or from someone that has driven that car for five years? Longtime owners are usually able to get higher prices when selling their cars. That’s because longtime owners typically take better care of their vehicles and potential buyers trust that there are no hidden issues.
Maintain Your Car’s Resale Value With Service From the Tempe Auto Repair Experts
At Good Works Auto Repair, we want to help you keep your car’s resale value high so you get more out of it while you own it AND when you go to sell it. That’s why we offer a variety of auto repair and maintenance services, including diesel repair and maintenance.
Whether you’re located here in Tempe or in any of the surrounding areas including Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, or Phoenix, we’re here to help with all of your auto care needs. Contact us today or schedule an appointment online!
