Here are some basic tips that can help you increase the resale value of your car. I got this article from a favorite auto site and I felt the need to share it with you. I am happy to share everything I’ve read from useful auto sites because it’s really my goal to inform and entertain my readers. So here it is:
Did you know that the value of your car goes down by 65% in just 5 years of normal driving? Learning to properly maintain your vehicle from day one is the surest way to maintain a top resale value, but if your decision is spur of the moment, these tips are for you, too. Before hastily slapping a "for sale" sign on your back window or placing an ad in the local newspaper when deciding to sell, you can take advantage of these easy and fairly inexpensive tips beforehand to cash in your car for hundreds more than its blue book value, which, by the way, is nothing more than a baseline estimate. Actual vehicle values vary depending on your location, the demand for the particular make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle's mileage, overall exterior and interior condition, parts replaced, and even simple things like odors inside of a vehicle. Let's start with the basics.
Tip #1: Do not modify/customize your vehicle if you are planning on selling itOr, if you do, stick to modifications that won't damage the appearance or functionality of the vehicle if they are removed. Make sure you keep all stock parts that you take off so you can someday put them back on, since aftermarket modifications actually decrease a vehicle's value. You may love your hot orange fiberglass dashboard with that custom tachometer, but remember the adage, "To each his own."
Tip #2: Stick to your vehicle's maintenance scheduleWhile strictly adhering to a maintenance schedule is the way to treat your car the best, it's also impressive to potential buyers if you can show proof of that maintenance. Each and every time you get an oil change or see your mechanic, tuck the receipt away in a folder as attestation that repair/maintenance has occurred. If you are a do-it-yourself mechanic, that's okay, too. Every time you visit your local Auto Zone or auto parts store, save the receipt, and pop that right into the folder, as well.
Tip #3: Keep your vehicle as clean as possible.
As much as a pain as it can be to keep the house and the car tidy, it truly is a necessary evil. Vacuuming regularly is a must, but protecting carpets with plastic floor mats is even more essential. Nothing ruins a carpet faster than not having floor mats. Keeping a vehicle washed and waxedis vital for maintaining a paint job, since mud, acid rain, salt, and sand wreak havoc on a vehicle. Waxing will not only help protect against the elements and repel rainwater, but it will also make the car easier to clean and preserve the shine. For your dashboard, an excellent protectant against the sun's UV rays (which can fade an interior) is Black Magic Protectant, which prolongs the life of vinyl, rubber, leather, and plastic.
As much as a pain as it can be to keep the house and the car tidy, it truly is a necessary evil. Vacuuming regularly is a must, but protecting carpets with plastic floor mats is even more essential. Nothing ruins a carpet faster than not having floor mats. Keeping a vehicle washed and waxedis vital for maintaining a paint job, since mud, acid rain, salt, and sand wreak havoc on a vehicle. Waxing will not only help protect against the elements and repel rainwater, but it will also make the car easier to clean and preserve the shine. For your dashboard, an excellent protectant against the sun's UV rays (which can fade an interior) is Black Magic Protectant, which prolongs the life of vinyl, rubber, leather, and plastic.
Tip #4: Don't Crash!While accidents are often inevitable, if you already know that you want to sell your vehicle in the future, treat it like it's your baby. Sometimes, when we don't care about a vehicle, we drive faster and maybe slightly recklessly, leave it unlocked, and park next to shopping carts at the grocery store. Don't get careless. Always pay attention when driving and keep in mind that consumers now have access to vehicle history reports, which will list your accident if you get into one.
