5 Mistakes That Will Devalue Your Car Quickly

You spend a lot of money buying or leasing your car, so it only makes sense to ensure that it retains its value so when it comes time to sell your car you get the best possible price for it. Here’s a handy guide from Client of five things that you should not do that will devalue your car.

Service and Maintenance

The one thing that a prospective car buyer is looking for is peace of mind, and that's where a service history comes in. Don’t get your car serviced at a budget store, and no matter where you go, be sure to keep your receipts or records. If you have a new car, ensure that the official dealer carries out all servicing operations. Each car comes with a service book, which will be marked and stamped by the dealer. It is vitally important that you keep these records, as it shows that the people that best know your car have serviced it, repaired it when necessary, and fixed items under recall notices. If you have a used car without a history, start one now. The best option is still to return to a dealer that sells and knows these vehicles from top to bottom.

Paint Care

Don’t neglect your car’s paintwork. Modern-day paints are pretty robust and it takes a lot to damage the paint job. The paint is usually several layers of primer, color, and a top layer of clear coat. It is this clear coat that protects the paint underneath, and it is this that you should protect in turn with a good quality wax. Don’t buy discount car care products, but rather the best you can afford. These usually consist of a series of treatments including washes, waxes, polishes, and extra protective layers. The key to cleaning car paintwork properly is to always use the least abrasive method of cleaning. Do not use brushes, but rather softer cloths to clean your car.

Insurance

Don’t forget insurance. Always get insurance for your car. Not only does this help in the case of a major accident, it also means that any damage will be fixed properly, usually by the car dealer or a reputable bodywork shop. Again, a record should be kept of any such repairs, as nothing eases a buyer’s mind as a complete as possible history of what the car has gone through.

Smoking

Don’t ever smoke (or vape) in your car if you value its resale. The smell of the smoke/vapor gets into any fabric surface, including the headlining, seats, and carpets and is virtually impossible to remove. By smoking or vaping in a car, you are reducing the number of people who would buy your car to those who smoke or vape themselves. Even then, the smell may offend even them.

Cleaning Inside the Car

Never let trash build up in your car. Unless the floor of your car is made up of entirely plastic or waterproof rubber, you need to take care of the carpet. Always use car mats to avoid grinding fragments of stuff into the car’s carpet, and generally treat the inside of your car like you would treat your home. Also, many car carpets are synthetic, so when vacuuming make sure you don’t move the vacuum head too fast or too hard against the carpet, as the resulting friction can actually melt the fibers together, producing an ugly mark.