Even if you don’t plan on selling your car in the near future, it is a smart idea to try to maintain the car’s value in the event that you plan to sell or trade-in your vehicle down the line. By taking care of the vehicle, you’ll have a nicer car to drive that’s worth more money than if you hadn’t. Here are some ways that you can maintain your car’s value over the time you own it.
Keep Up with Routine Maintenance
The first and most important thing you can do to maintain a car’s value is to keep up with the routine maintenance schedule that the manufacturer recommends. Even allowing a thousand or so miles to pile up between recommended oil changes can slowly take its toll on the vehicle’s performance. In addition, regular maintenance appointments mean that small issues are dealt with before they become large repairs. This can have the biggest impact on what your car is worth down the line.
Avoid Exterior Damage
All of those little dings can make a car look older and in worse condition than it actually is. Try to avoid exterior damage as much as possible, even if it means that you have to park farther away in the parking lot. Take care of little damages as soon as possible to prevent rust or further damage. For very small scratches, you can buy a paint repair pen from the dealership’s parts and accessories store to make small repairs in the paint.
Tackle Upholstery Stains
When it comes to resale value, a car with an interior that smells or is stained will be worth less than one in better condition. Try to remove upholstery stains as soon as they happen so that stains don’t become set in. If possible, avoid eating or drinking in your car to protect it from future spills.
Be Mindful of Mileage
The more miles on the vehicle’s odometer, the less it will be worth. You’ve noticed this phenomenon if you’ve shopped for a pre-owned car. Ten thousand miles can make a significant difference in the final price of a used vehicle. Therefore, you want to be mindful of where you drive the car. If you are trying to decide between a long road trip or taking a flight, it might be worth flying to avoid putting the mileage on your car.
Use a Sunshade
It is a simple solution, but a windshield sunshade can protect a vehicle’s console from sun damage, including cracking. This can help keep your vehicle in good condition when it comes time to sell it or trade it in. Windshield sunshades are inexpensive and can make your car’s interior cooler even on hot summer days.
Maintaining a vehicle’s value doesn’t need to be difficult, expensive, or time-consuming. By using these easy tips, you can preserve your car’s value and enjoy driving a nicer car. It can also save you money that you’d otherwise need to pay on costly repairs on a vehicle that’s less maintained.
Photo by Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original