Regardless of whether you buy a car new or used, it makes sense to think about what will happen when you want (or need) to move on from it. The better you take care of your car, the more of its value will be preserved. With that in mind, Mudd-E share their eight useful suggestions to consider.
Keep all important documents
No buyer is just going to accept a seller’s word on either their legal ownership of a car or the car’s service history. It’s therefore vital to keep full records of both. Losing either or both of these may not make a car impossible to sell. It will, however, almost certainly put a dent in its value, possibly a severe one.
This is one instance, where it does make sense to keep documentation in document form, in other words, on paper. With that said, it’s also a sensible precaution to keep at least one copy of these documents in electronic format. These function as a safeguard if anything happens to the originals.
Ensure your car is regularly maintained
Making sure your car is serviced on schedule is the bare minimum you need to do to keep your car running. If you want to preserve your car’s resale value, it makes sense to go over and above that.
Give your car a thorough maintenance check at least twice a year. Spring and autumn are the usual times for this as they are the most significant seasonal changes. If you want to save money, then you can perform these checks yourself. There is plenty of guidance online.
Alternatively, if time is more of an issue (or space), getting a professional to do this is usually fairly affordable. You may, however, need to book quite far in advance, particularly around spring and autumn.
Between these times, you should perform basic maintenance yourself. In particular, check your fluids and your tyres (pressure and tread). In spring and autumn, do this at least once a month. In summer and winter, at least once a week.
In fact, in peak summer and winter, you may need to check your tyre pressure several times a day. This is because tyre pressure is very sensitive to temperature.
Be careful of extensive modifications
Modifications on a car are a bit like modifications on a house. They are often very much a matter of taste. As with houses, a future buyer’s taste may not align with yours. If a modification would benefit you enough for you to take this risk, then fair enough. Just be aware that modifications may not add value to your vehicle. In fact, they can do the exact opposite.
Take care of your car’s exterior
Your car’s exterior isn’t just a part of what makes it look good. It’s also what protects your car from the UK’s (highly-variable) weather. This means that it’s important to deal with any scratches, chips or dents promptly. Left untreated, they can become places for rust to take hold. This can lead to serious problems.
Additionally, you should wash and wax your car regularly. Not only does this improve its appearance, but it also protects against the long-term effects of dirt abrasion. Furthermore, when your car is clean, it’s easier to spot issues with the paintwork. This makes it more likely that you can catch them while they are still minor.
You should also take care of your glasswork, including your mirrors. Not only do these play a role in protecting your car, but they are also necessary for you to see the road.
Interior care
Picking up on the house analogy, caring for the interior of your car is like caring for the interior of your home. It may not make much, if any, difference to its functionality but it can make a huge difference to its overall appeal.
There is a reason estate agents advise sellers to ensure that properties are pristine before potential buyers enter them. You could, potentially, leave off cleaning the interior of your car until you actually want to sell it. Taking care of it regularly is, however, likely to give you a better result overall. It will definitely give you a better driving experience.
What’s more, cleaning your car’s interior doesn’t have to be difficult. You can use seat covers, floor mats and boot covers to protect your upholstery and carpeting. Sunshades will protect against sun damage. Organisers and mobile bins will corral needed/wanted items and litter, respectively. If you do all this, then your car’s interior will probably only need light cleaning and ventilation to keep it in good order.
Odour management
Try to keep strong odours out of your car. At a minimum, do not smoke in your car or allow other people to do so. Cigarette smoke doesn’t just smell bad, it creates stains that are hard to remove. If you must get a nicotine fix, vaping is not as bad for your car (although still not recommended for your health).
Ideally, you will also keep strong-smelling food and pets out of your car. In the real world, however, this is often easier said than done. If you must (or want) to allow them, make a point of ventilating and deodorising your car afterwards. Baking soda is an economical, easy and effective way of removing odours.
Keep your miles down
Age and mileage both have a significant effect on your car’s resale value. There’s nothing you can do about the former, but you can influence the latter. What’s more, as a bonus, doing so will help lower your carbon footprint. In simple terms, try to keep your car for when you really need or want to drive it. Use other means of transport whenever you can.
Practise safe (and fuel-efficient) driving
There is plenty of information about this online. In short, however, your aim should be to cruise at all times. You should avoid sharp changes such as breaking or sudden cornering. Instead, you should change speed slowly and move seamlessly into turns.
Think before you park
The safest place to park a car is in a locked garage. Realistically, however, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have one of those available whenever you need to park. In fact, you may not have one available at all.
Your next-best options are attended car parks followed by unattended car parks. Both of these tend to have some level of security. Even so, it’s advisable to add extra security of your own such as by using immobilisers.
When you are forced to park elsewhere, think about the implications for your car’s safety and security. For example, where possible, try to choose places with clear access, plenty of activity and good lighting. If they have security cameras, it’s even better.
