Your car should be one of your most prized possessions. From the first time you drove your car to the last time you see it, your car will bring a significant value into your life. While difficult at times, maintaining the value of your car is extremely important, especially if you plan on selling it in the near future.
The following tips will help maximize the value of your vehicle, regardless of how long you’ve owned it:
Garage Your Vehicle
Try to park your car in the garage. This will help protect it from the outside elements when you’re not driving.
If you don’t have a garage to park in, make sure to purchase and use a protective cover for your vehicle. They aren’t very expensive, but the extra protection can help you increase the value of your vehicle down the road.
Garages aren’t always an option if you live in a big city, especially with the rising costs of parking spaces. Aim to park your vehicle in a garage during the winter months when the snow and rain can cause rust and heavily affect the paint quality.
Keep an Accurate Maintenance Log
Accurate maintenance logs are important for a variety of reasons. When it comes time to sell your vehicle, having a paper trail of oil changes and tune ups will be proof enough for the buyer that the car is in good condition. If you plan on trading it in, you’ll have more negotiating power over the trade-in value. If taking out a car title loan is in your future, these records can help you get a larger sum of money from the loan company.
Whenever you take your vehicle in for an oil change or for regular service, make sure you keep every receipt and maintain an accurate log.
Watch for Curbs
Careless drivers always have issues with running into curbs when turning around corners. If your car hits a curb, your alloy wheels will scratch easily, potentially costing you a significant of money down the road when you try to make a sale.
Play it safe and slow down when going around corners. Your car will maintain its value for a longer period of time.
Don’t Smoke in your Vehicle
Do not smoke inside of your vehicle. Removing cigarette smoke from the upholstery of a vehicle can be very costly, and in some cases, impossible. You’ll have a difficult time selling your vehicle for market value, if you’ll be able to sell it at all.
While you won’t be able to detect the smell of smoke inside your vehicle, other people will. If the interior of the vehicle smells like smoke now, be sure to get it detailed extensively as soon as possible and use air fresheners until you’ve determined the smell has completely disappeared.
Clean the Inside on a Regular Basis
Similar to regular engine maintenance, cleaning the interior of your vehicle at least every other week is essential to keeping its value as high as possible.
Beyond vacuuming, car owners need to shampoo the carpets and seats, clean the steering wheel and cup holders, and apply protective sealant for future stain prevention. The sweat you put into cleaning your vehicle now will pay off huge in the future.
While purchasing a car is never considered an investment, you must invest your own time into regular upkeep and maintenance in order to maximize the car’s value in the future. By doing so, you could be adding thousands of dollars to your vehicle’s value.