Don’t do these 5 things if you want to retain your car value

• A1 Express
• Jun 25, 2022

It’s natural to be happy about your new vehicle when you first buy it, but now is also the time to consider how you can prevent depreciation and save much of the car value as possible.

Depreciation is the most important component in deciding your car’s resale value when it comes time to sell it, but there are a few things you can do to retain your car value and reduce the impact of depreciation to a minimum.

The average length of vehicle ownership in Australia is about 10 years but when the time comes to move on, all of us definitely want the most out of it.

When it comes to trading in a car, the car value might drop by more than 20% after just a year of ownership. But the vehicles do not lose value overnight unless they are involved in an accident.

Anything that doesn’t happen abruptly can be controlled, minimized, or even prevented. Since there is absolutely no way around depreciation, keeping up with the maintenance/servicing, and driving around responsibly.

However, investing in cars that retain their value best might help you minimize it. Here are some times to help you retain car value:

Retain your car value – Keep all of your documentation and receipts in one place.

It goes without saying that you should keep track of all your vehicle’s key documentation, owner’s manuals, purchase receipts, title, and receipts. Ensure sure that they are all together in one location, such as a folder, so none get misplaced.

It’s also a good idea to save any bills or receipts for vehicle repairs so you may present them to potential buyers when the time comes. Some people believe it’s best to remain quiet about any problems you’ve had to solve.

To avoid potential purchasers thinking you’re trying to sell a lemon. However, being honest and able to show that you’ve had problems addressed demonstrates that you’ve taken good care of the vehicle.

It also means that there were issues in the past that the new owner won’t have to worry about since you’ve already fixed them. This surely helps in retaining your car value. When a car has been around for a few years, it is likely to have flaws.

It can only help with the resale car value if you have receipts to indicate your vehicle has been repaired for a known condition so that the new buyer doesn’t have to worry about it.

Any missing piece of document, paperwork, or receipt means the buyer has a bargaining point.

Maintain a routine of servicing and maintenance.

Cars break down for no apparent reason all of the time, and there’s no way around it-just like depreciation. Is it the right time to sell or trade in your automobile?

If you let the little problems like small trim pieces drying, cracking, and breaking off, a window regulator burning out, a rock chip in the windscreen, the center cap of your wheel flying off mid-drive, etc pile up without taking care of them.

It will appear more like a neglected clunker, regardless of its working condition. You want the car’s appearance to correspond to its mechanical condition. While most of us avoid going to the mechanic unless it’s absolutely necessary.

It’s a good idea to have your car serviced on a regular basis if you keep track of the maintenance and repairs. Regular servicing shows a potential buyer that you cared about keeping the automobile in good shape while you had it.

It is a good habit to maintain the smooth operation of your car’s mechanisms and address any issues that arise, both as a safety precaution and to preserve the car’s market value of your car.

You may not pay much attention to routine fixes or modest services that are required, but these may cause significant problems in the long term ultimately affecting your car value.

Invest in vehicles that retain their car value best

Not all automobiles are made equal, and certain scrap automobiles are known to hold their value better than others. It’s crucial to be a wise automobile owner who understands which vehicles retain their worth over time.

People are typically drawn to vehicles because of their appearance and price but often do not take the time to consider the financial ramifications of long-term ownership.

The type of vehicle you purchase can have a significant impact on the amount of depreciation you experience over the course of your ownership.

This doesn’t imply that you should overlook your needs and prioritize a car value-retaining vehicle over what actually fits you.

Drive Responsibly

If someone tells you that you should drive your car like your grandmother, you might assume it will take all the fun out of owning a car. Have you acquired a sports car or muscle car, whether you thrashed it or not?

A future buyer will presume it has been thrashed. But when it comes to maintaining your car in good shape, driving carefully and remaining aware is the biggest preventative precaution you can do!

Not only would reckless driving increase the chances of an accident, but it will also increase the severity of the collision. However, pushing it to its limits can result in a broken chassis.

You’ll also have more fluid leaks, faster oil burn-off, and engine parts that fail prematurely. For obvious reasons, an automobile that has been driven hard and abused will not be worth as much as its well-maintained counterpart.

Looks Matter While Retaining Your Car Value

It is difficult to keep a car’s body in perfect condition throughout its lifetime. Every vehicle will eventually develop scratches and dents. Sure, avoid these if you can.

However, by the time an automobile is at least four or five years old, the outside body and paint will have some flaws. Such flaws create a bad first impression and diminish the car market value.

Your car’s extra plastic trim coat may wear away over time due to exposure to sunshine, heat, moisture, and other factors, resulting in a dull and faded appearance.  It’s a good idea to get these minor issues fixed before selling your vehicle for sale.

While your car is on the market, even the tiniest scrapes or dents can draw notice. Examine the body of your vehicle to see how many dents, dings, and scratches you’ve accumulated over time.

Because cars are exposed to so many factors, minor dents, and dings are common. However, before you put your automobile on the market, invest in some dent repair to improve its curb appeal.

Any large scratches should be repaired by a detailer. Minor bodywork is inexpensive to repair, but a clean appearance will go a long way toward attracting a higher asking price. Follow these tips to retain car value.