10 Tips To Maintain The Value Of Your Car

Regardless of the vehicle you own, you want to keep it in the best shape for as long as possible. While many owners only worry about the value of their vehicle when the time comes to sell or trade, the truth is that there are many ways to be proactive in maintaining the value of your car and minimizing depreciation.

There are many factors to take into account when evaluating your car’s worth, such as condition, age, and total mileage. Although some of these factors are not within your control, there are several ways to maintain a vehicle’s value that only require a little attention and care.

All The Ways In Which You Can Maintain The Value Of Your Car

When it comes to preserving the value of your car, there are many things you can do from the moment it is rolled off the manufacturer’s factory line. We highlight the top ten ways to keep your vehicle in top shape and slow down its depreciation, all of which should be implemented as soon as you buy it for best results.

#1 – Keep Your Car In The Garage And Watch Where You Park It

Watching where you park your car is highly important when it comes to preserving its value. You should try your best to keep it protected from the elements, other cars, and anything that may affect its condition. This means that you should avoid parking right next to other vehicles as some two-door cars can have very long doors capable of causing door dings. Keeping your vehicle in the shade helps with vinyl dashboards since they can crack when regularly exposed to the sun.

When at home, keeping it parked in the carport or garage instead of the outdoors is one of the top ways to maintain the value of your car, as it protects it from the cold, heat, bright sunshine, snowstorms, and even branches or debris that could fall out of nearby trees, all of which, throughout time, cause your car’s condition to deteriorate.

#2 Don’t Smoke Inside

Not only is cigarette smoke bad for the smell of your interior but it can also cause the surfaces to dull and even change colors, cutting down on the potential market value of your car substantially over the years.

#3 – Get Regular Tune-Ups and Maintenance Checks

Sticking to your car’s maintenance schedule is important for both its overall performance and to preserve the value and condition of it’s parts. Mechanical problems tend to be progressive, so a small issue that isn’t fixed in time can eventually become a huge problem. Therefore, one of the best tips to maintain the value of your car is to undergo regular tune-ups and check-ups, avoiding and noticing any problems early on and fixing them before they become worse.

This also includes getting regular oil and other fluid changes since this can easily help to prevent major engine problems.

#4 – Keep It As Clean As Possible

Cleaning stains on the carpet, upholstery, and exterior of your vehicle as soon as they occur is a good way to preserve its value. This way, you’ll avoid stains reaching the point of being permanent, which is what tends to happen when left untreated for weeks or months. Keep an eye out for anything red, especially, because this color stain can be particularly hard to remove!

#5 – Keep An Ear Out For Strange Noises And Repair Them As Soon As Possible

Strange noises are usually a sign of trouble, so if you start noticing any, make sure to take your vehicle straight to a certified technician, so that it can be inspected and the problem can be repaired at minimal cost. Any knocking, clanking, or intermittent sounds coming from your engine are signs that something is wrong. A smooth-running engine always has a quiet and consistent sound, so a new buyer will notice any strange noises.

#6 – Use Seat Covers To Protect The Interior

Investing in a good set of seat covers can help a great deal when trying to maintain the value of your car over time. With seat covers, you can rest assured that the seats will be protected from undesired stains, and wear and tear, while keeping your interior upholstery spotless for longer.

#7 – Protect The Vinyl Surfaces With A Special Product

Vinyl surfaces in vehicles are prone to dulling and cracking as time passes, especially if you live in a very sunny area, and, over time, can give the impression that the car is not well-maintained. In order to avoid this, there are many special and inexpensive products that you can purchase to keep your vinyl surfaces as good as new.

#8 – Wax Twice A Year – At Least

Keeping your car’s exterior clean is a good way of preserving its value. Having it waxed at least a couple of times a year can be ideal to both protect the surface and keep the color intact for longer. If you’re planning to sell your vehicle at some point, keep in mind that a potential buyer will notice a faded paint job right away!

#9 – Drive Sensibly

Driving your car in a reckless way frequently, (by accelerating rapidly, stopping suddenly, and hard turns), can take a tremendous toll on it. If you wish to maintain the value of your car, it is best to be careful with it and avoid the accelerated wear and tear of bad driving habits that can easily result in damages.

#10 – Keep Your Mileage To A Minimum

One of the best ways to maintain the value of your car is to not put too many miles on it, as everyone knows this is one of the main aspects in depreciation. More miles leads to lower resale value.

Trying to limit unnecessary driving is key. You can do this by scheduling errands more efficiently.

USA Automotive is happy to help you keep your car in tip-top shape. Contact us or schedule an appointment to come in and see us today!