We’ve all heard that cars depreciate quickly. The moment you drive off the lot, the value starts going down fast.
Don’t throw in the towel, though! You have the power to add significant value to your vehicle, and even if you aren’t planning on selling it any time soon, chances are that will change down the road. Using the right methods can go a long way toward significantly improving your car’s resale value. To help our customers get top dollar when they trade in their vehicles, we’ve compiled this list of 5 tips for doing just that.
5 Methods for Keeping Your Vehicle’s Value High
- Abide by the Dealer’s Maintenance Guidelines. In the back of your vehicle manual, you will find the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. This guide is your new BFF! Make sure to get all recommended maintenance and stick to the schedule as much as you can. It will pay off in the long-run since the person who buys your car will want to know that you’ve taken good care of it.
- Keep a Record of Those Maintenace Procedures. After you get maintenance work done on your car, like getting an oil change, save your receipts! Your vehicle’s value will greatly increase if you can prove that you’ve been keeping up with maintenance. Websites like Carfax or Experian can help you track this.
- Park Indoors. If you have a garage or carport, use it. Sun damage can be brutal. If you don’t have a garage, you can buy a cover for your car or park in a shaded area.
- Drive Carefully! Collision damage does a number on your car’s value, and any used car appraiser will be able to spot it right away. So stay alert, and if you do get into an accident, get the repairs from the body shop right away.
- Keep it Clean: Dirt, road salt, dead bugs, pollen–you don’t want any of that sitting on your car for long. That’s why it’s a good idea to get regular detailing to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape!
