4 Ways to Protect Your Car’s Resale Value

When you buy a vehicle, you want to keep it running well for as long as possible and protect the resale value when it’s time for you to upgrade. Here are some easy ways you can protect your car’s resale value.

The better your vehicle looks, the more likely you’ll be to get top dollar when you are ready to sell. But don’t think that you can let it go while you drive it and simply clean it once you’re prepared to sell it! You’ve got to do some preventative maintenance now.

Wash it regularly. Washing your vehicle at least once a week will remove the dirt and debris, which, if uncleaned, can lead to scratches and other build-up. And by removing this debris, you can keep an eye out for any dings or rust spots that are starting.

Wash it by hand with a gentle rag and soap or use a touchless car wash. Avoid harsh scrub brushes or automated car washes that use twirling scrubbers or tumblers.

Protect it against scratches and dings. You can get clear coats applied to areas of your vehicle most vulnerable to dings and scratches. And if possible, get a car cover or park your vehicle in your garage or another covered area away from other vehicles.

Wax it a few times a year. Applying wax to your vehicle keeps your paint looking bright and fresh and protects it a bit against wear and tear.

Fix everything immediately. When you notice any rust starting or get any scratches or dings, get it buffed out and/or touched up immediately. This will prevent the paint from cracking or bubbling any further.

Clean and vacuum the interior regularly. Declutter the inside of your car, clean out your stuff, remove any junk or trash — receipts, coins, pens, paper, coffee cups, napkins, etc. — and giving your vehicle a regular vacuum and wiping down the interior will help it look clean. And if you notice any stains or tears, fix them immediately to prevent them from getting worse.

Keep records and receipts for anything you get done on your vehicle. Oil changes and other regular maintenance, new brakes, new mufflers, new tires, a new windshield — keep your receipts from all auto shops and mechanics. Showing what and when maintenance was done to the vehicle, provides potential owners peace of mind that they’re buying a good vehicle and likely won’t give them an option to negotiate on price.

We realize you use your car to commute, but if you can keep the kilometers as low as possible, it will substantially increase your resale value! A ten-year-old vehicle with 50,000 kilometers will sell for more than a similar ten-year-old vehicle with 120,000 kilometers.

We realize your vehicle is your daily commuter but avoid unnecessary car trips as they can add up quickly. Consider renting a vehicle, if you like to take road trips.

Your vehicle will come with a recommended maintenance schedule for oil changes and other check-ups. It’s essential to follow these recommendations, to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, thus maintaining your car’s resale value.

At Enviro Lube, we do warranty-approved oil changes along with 21 point inspections. We’ll make sure your oil levels are flushed and topped up to keep all your vehicle’s parts running smoothly and protecting its resale value. Contact us today or stop by (no appointment needed!) for your 15-minute oil change.