Practical Tips On Retaining Your Car’s Value & Keeping It High

Key Takeaways –

• Car owners are responsible for preserving the car’s resale value.
• Negligence can damage your vehicle and result in a considerable decline in resale value.
• You can retain your car’s value by diligently following a strict driving routine and maintenance schedule.
• The auto-technician you choose for maintenance also plays a role in the final car resale value.
• Choose reliable technicians like the ones at Headquarters Nissan, who can also give an accurate trade-in value once you decide to sell your four-wheeler.

Just bought a new car and want to keep it in top condition. You’re not alone! Many people go to great lengths to protect their investments and keep them looking good. But sometimes, even the best-laid plans can go awry. Here are some tips on retaining your car’s value – and maybe even increasing it!

Ways to Make Your Car Lose Its Value Instantly

What’s in taking care of your car? Here are car maintenance flaws that HELP only in LOSING CAR VALUE. 

1. Get a few dings and scratches. 

A few scrapes here and there show you don’t take good care of it. Plus, it’ll be more challenging for anyone to sell your car as-is if it’s not in pristine condition. So, open your door into that tight parking spot without worrying about those minor scuffs. They’re practically invisible – to you.

2. Drive…a lot. 

The more miles, the less your car’s worth. So, if you want to watch your car’s value decrease before your very eyes, rack up those miles! Taking road trips with your friends or commuting long distances to work are great ways to add extra mileage.

3. Don’t bother with regular maintenance. 

Who has time for oil changes and tune-ups, anyway? If you want to ensure that your car starts having problems sooner rather than later, just put off any routine maintenance until it becomes an absolute necessity. You can also save money in the short term by waiting as long as possible before the issues become much bigger—and more expensive—ones.

4. Don’t wash (or vacuum) it too often. 

A little dirt never hurt anyone, right? Besides, washing your car too often can damage the paint job. And who wants to spend money on things like that when there are other vital things in life? If you want people to question whether or not you take care of your belongings, let the grime build up on your ride until it becomes genuinely unsightly. Trust us; it won’t take long.

5. Install some outdated technology. 

Nothing says, “I don’t care about keeping up with the times,” like throwing an outdated piece of technology into your otherwise modern car. If you want people to know that you’re stuck in the past, install a cassette player or one of those old GPS units that looks like it belongs in a museum instead of on the dashboard of a modern vehicle.

Also, read – What Happens When You Neglect Tire Maintenance.

Steps on Retaining Your Car’s Value

Car owners who want to preserve their ride’s value cannot afford the luxury of believing that a few maintenance errors won’t hurt the car’s resale value. The errors above can downgrade your car’s resale value, leaving you with a possible lemon that goes to the scrapyard rather than the dealership at the point of sale. Here’s how you can retain the value:

1. Get it detailed regularly – A good wash and wax can do wonders for your car’s exterior, but don’t forget about the inside! Vacuum the floors and seats, and clean the windows inside and out. You’ll be surprised at how much better your car looks (and feels) when it’s clean.
2. Keep up with maintenance – This one is important! Make sure you get oil changes and tune-ups on schedule. If something does break, get it fixed right away. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repairs.
3. Drive carefully – This should go without saying, but avoid possible accidents and tickets. Not only will this keep your insurance rates low, but it will also prevent any damage to your car. And if you do need to make a claim, be sure to document everything thoroughly (photos are always helpful).
4. Don’t modify it too much. Adding a spoiler or custom rims can make your car look more stylish, but it can also make it less attractive to potential buyers down the road. If you must modify your car, do so in moderation and only make changes that potential buyers can easily undo.

How to Preserve Your Car’s Value: Get a Reliable Auto-Technician

The auto-technician is your partner in ensuring your ride stands the test of time. This might sound like a far-fetched generalization, but the technician you choose will assist your ride in delivering the goods.

Think about it this way: If you never take your car in for an oil change or tune-up, it will start breaking down quickly. And when parts of your car start breaking, that will reduce its value. On the other hand, if you’re taking your car in for regular maintenance, you’re much less likely to have significant problems down the road. Not only will this save you money in repairs, but it will also help preserve your car’s value.

It’s also important to remember that even the most reliable cars will eventually need significant repairs. When this happens, it’s essential to take your car to a reputable auto technician who can do the job right. A botched repair job can do more harm than good, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

All too often, people treat their cars like disposable commodities. But if you take care of your car, it will take care of you — and even make you some money down the road when you sell or trade it in. By following the tips above, you can be sure to get top dollar for your car, whether you’re selling it to a private party or trading it in at a dealership. The experts at Headquarters Nissan, serving Hamilton, GA, are the best in the business and will give you top dollar for your trade. So, what are you waiting for? 

Please fill out our trade appraisal form today!