Once you purchase a car, there are some things you have to do in order to keep your car in good, working order. Actually, over the life span of your car, there are things you will always have to do, and expenses that will arise as your car ages. A car is an expensive investment, so here are some tips for keeping your car well-maintained and retaining its value.
What Impacts your Car’s Value?
Where you Live: Depending on where you live in the country, your car’s value may be higher or lower. In an area where a car is more likely to rust due to salty road conditions, a car may devalue faster.
Overproduction: When too many cars of a certain make and model are produced, their value automatically goes down. There may be too many Geo Prisms on the road, or too many Chrysler minivans in the dealership lots.
Color: Many colors are considered “hot” in the year they first appear, but some trends disappear over time. If you buy a trendy turquoise blue that you like, five years down the road someone else might not find it too appealing.
Recalls: If something on your car has been recalled, the resale value will be lowered.
Power: Some people want and need extra power in their car. If your car is low on power, you might not have the resale “umph.”
Popularity: If your car was sold in a year the model was not popular, individuals searching for cars may find through research that your car’s lack of popularity might mean something is wrong with the car.
Visual Damage: If you’re in a fender bender and don’t fix the damage done to the car, the value will go down.
A Cracked Windshield: A cracked windshield is unsafe and doesn’t look that great. Fix it to keep your value up.
Dings: Small dents in the car’s exterior will make it look like you haven’t taken good care of it.
Make and Model: Certain makes and models just have higher resale value. You will pay more when you purchase a car like this, but the resale value will be higher.
10 Ways to Maintain Your Car’s Value
- Buy a standard color. Standard colors like black, white, and red sell better. They’re always in style.
- Regularly service it. Keep the brakes and tires well serviced. Keep the car’s fluid levels correct, and get a yearly service checks to prevent anything from breaking down.
- Get regular oil changes. Changing the oil every 3000 miles or 3 months will keep your engine running smoothly for a longer period of time.
- Keep the mileage low. Higher mileage cars have higher wear and tear.
- Fix accident damage. If you get in an accident, fix it. You won’t regret it when you resell the car.
- Clean it regularly. Wash and vacuum your car every once in awhile. Dirt upon dirt is harder to clean in the end.
- Avoid rust damage. Put rust guard on your car if you live in an area where snow removal uses salt on the ground. This will prevent your car from rusting out.
- Don’t smoke in it. When you smoke in your car and try to resell it, the smell may keep others from purchasing it.
- Store it inside. When a car stays outside all the time, the color can fade. It’s also open to damage from the elements.
- Use bed liners. Liners on the base of your car keep your carpet free from mud and spills.