Things You Are Doing That Could Depreciate Your Vehicle
Vehicle depreciation is a fact of life. We all know that as the age of your car goes up, it’s safe to assume that its value is going down. But there are some practices that can help or hinder this depreciation percentage. Do you know the things you are doing that could depreciate your vehicle?
Watch Where You Park
This seems simple, but watching where you park, and what kinds of cars you park next to can help you increase your car’s value come trade-in time. Door dings, scratches, and other hiccups that happen in the parking lot can contribute to lowering your vehicle’s value. If you want to keep your car in good condition, park away from other cars whenever possible. You may walk farther, but you’ll also help to elongate the life of your vehicle and the value of it when you’re ready to get a new one. If you can’t find a spot by itself, try to park away from two-door vehicles or make sure you have enough room for the door to clear the side of your car. Some two-door vehicles have extra-long doors that can scratch your paint job if the wind blows them open quickly and they hit your car, or the passengers in the other car are careless when getting into their vehicle.
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Also, keep in mind that you should always park in the shade when possible. Some cars with vinyl dashboards can crack with repeated exposure to the heat from the sun. You can also make your interior fabrics stay well-kept by parking in the shade whenever possible. They will fade with too much sun as well as the exterior paint job. Be sure to park in your garage or, if you don’t have one of those, park where there is some cover.
Keeping the Inside and Outside of Your Car in Tip-Top Shape
One of the biggest factors in determining the resale value of any vehicle is its interior and exterior condition. Be proactive about your washing schedule. Washing your car only when you can write through the dirt is a no go! Washing your car regularly will help to maintain the exterior color and condition of the paint job, in turn, upping the resale value of your car.
Wax your car. If you’re not waxing your car, there’s a good chance that your vehicle’s exterior is not protected from the elements. Waxing provides a sacrificial layer on top of the clear coat so that when you remove dirt and such you’re not directly rubbing the paint. Plus, waxing always makes your car extra shiny. Not waxing will leave the car looking dull and the clear coat on top of your paint job vulnerable to accelerated wear. You should wax your car about twice a year to help maintain its look.
If you’re leaving your interior uncovered, you’re asking for trouble. Investing in seat covers can help to make sure your interior cloth or leather takes less of a beating over the length of the time you own your car. It can help to prevent tears, scuffs, stains, and discoloring.
Part of maintaining the interior of your car is keeping the cigarettes outside of your vehicle. This is a biggie, because cigarette smoke smell is not only tough to remove, but staining that stems from the smoke is stubborn and difficult to remove from your car. Not to mention, if you smoke in your car you risk burning the seats or other upholstery. Its best for your car’s value if you make your car a no smoking zone.
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Keep Up With Your Vehicle Maintenance
Practicing preventative maintenance can do wonders to the value of your vehicle. Not only does this help your car to run smoother for longer, but it also creates a record of service for the next buyer to see. If you save the receipts from car washes, oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotations, and other services, this will tell the next buyer that you were responsible with your car and that it has been taken good care of while you owned it. This can really help at trade-in time.
Want to know what your vehicle is worth? Use our calculate your trade page to see where your vehicle’s value lies. Looking for a newer vehicle? Check out our impressive online inventory or stop by Queens Auto Mall, Inc. to take a look at what we have in stock! Don’t forget to avoid the things you are doing that could depreciate the value of your car. You’ll thank us come trade-in time.