Car owners all over the world are concerned about the value of their vehicle. As soon as you purchase a new one, it drops sharply in value and over time, the value of your vehicle will continue to fall if you don’t maintain it properly. The way you look after your car and manage it will have a huge impact on its value, so here are a couple of simple ways to help you maintain the value of your vehicle.
- Keep your car in a secure location
It’s important to keep your car somewhere safe in order to protect it from theft, the elements and even dust. If there’s ever a time you’re not using your vehicle, make sure it’s kept safely guarded in a garage or at least with something to cover it. Scratches and scuffs can easily damage the paintwork, and it’s usually not worth repairing these before selling your car or trading it in for a new one. If you try to fix them with cheap solutions, then you’ll find yourself wasting more money and the end result won’t be worth the effort. If you’re going to sell your car in the future or simply want it to retain its value, then keep it in a secure location.
- Tint your windows
Few people know that car tinting is a great way to protect the interiors of your vehicles. In fact, cars with tinted windows generally fare better than those without tinted windows because UV light can’t penetrate the films, resulting in less damage to the interior upholstery. This can make the insides of your vehicle look brand new even after years of use (assuming you don’t damage them yourself) and go a long way to help retain value.
- Don’t smoke in your car
Many people smoke in their cars, but not only can cigarette smoke give your upholstery a foul odour, it can also dull the surfaces of your vehicle. Try and keep smoking away from your vehicle if possible. If you have to smoke, make sure your windows are rolled down the smoke and smells don’t bind to the interior of your vehicle. Cleaning out cigarette smoke can be incredibly expensive and time-consuming.
- Clean your car on a regular basis
Your vehicle can easily pick up grime, dirt and stains—especially on the interior of your vehicle. If you feel like your vehicle is dirty and needs a clean, then do it sooner rather than later. If you spill something, pull over the car and quickly clean it up. It can help to have cleaning tools in the boot of your vehicle so that you’re prepared to clean up any potential messes.
Trading in your vehicle is a fantastic way to finance a new vehicle, and your current car can be worth a lot more if you follow these simple tips. It doesn’t take much work to retain the value of your car—you just need to look after it like a proper vehicle and not treat it like a toy.
