Reselling Your Vehicle in the Future? Maintain it Like This
Are you planning on reselling your car in the future? Well if you are, you better keep it in top condition so you can as much money back as possible. This is where proper vehicle maintenance comes in which is essential for maximizing your car’s resale value.
This quick guide will give you a list of tips on maintaining your vehicle before you resell it and explain how it impacts your vehicle’s resale value.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
To be clear, regular vehicle maintenance isn’t just a fancy term mechanics throw around to get you to pay more for stuff you don’t need. It’s the secret to keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape and worth good money when it’s time to sell. Let’s begin.
1. Preventing Major Repairs
Here’s the thing – catching problems early is a game changer when it comes to vehicle maintenance. You have keep your eyes peeled for any weird noises, smells, vibrations or dash signals like the engine light. It’s not just there for decoration.
If you see, smell or hear anything unusual, just make a quick appointment with your mechanic and get it checked out quickly. If you find and fix a small issue now it will be cheaper than dealing with a full-blown disaster later. Remember, this doesn’t preclude regular maintenance.
2. Maintaining Performance
You want your car running smooth right? Well, that doesn’t happen by on it’s own. Your car needs regular oil changes, tire rotations, alignment and brake checks. These checks are what keeps your vehicle running nice and smooth.
Maintaining performance pretty also helps you by not breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
3. Preserving Aesthetics
Don’t forget about looks nor neglect the look of your car. A clean car is a valuable car. You have to do more than run it through a car wash if you really want to get the best price for your car. You have to actually get down and dirty with some serious auto detailing.
Clean the rims, polish the body, make sure to remove all grime and scuffs, and make sure to vacuum everything out of the carpets and seats. When a potential buyer sees a pristine car for sale, they see value and that means more cash in your pocket when it’s time to sell.
Remember, a well-maintained car isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns. It’s also about making sure you get top dollar when it’s time to upgrade your vehicle.
Don’t Wait Until Selling Day
Waiting until the time you’re ready to sell is not the time to start maintaining it. You don’t take it into a maintenance garage for the first time just because you’re selling it. Maintenance should be done on the regular.
You should literally be planning on starting your vehicle maintenance plan the day you purchase it. There’s no doubt doing this will ensure the best possible resale value in the future.
1. Find a Trusty Mechanic
There are two things you should do to establish a relationship with a reputable mechanic in your area – one who can provide consistent, quality service for your vehicle.
First, search Google and read reviews of the top listed mechanic shops. Second, ask your friend and family where they get their vehicle serviced at, and get their review too. Narrow down your list to three favorites and call them.
You’ll be able to determine which mechanic to choose based on those conversations. Remember to tell them you just bought a vehicle and you want to set up a maintenance schedule to keep it in top condition before reselling it.
2. Create a Maintenance Schedule
Your vehicle’s manual is your best friend when it comes to keeping your ride in top shape. Grab that book and flip to the maintenance section. You’ll find a goldmine of info related to your car and maintaining it. Just make yourself ass familiar with it as possible. Don’t just skim through it once. Read it every time you’re checking something on your car. In the future you’ll have a lot of it memorized and know exactly what to do.
Here’s a great guide on understanding your vehicle’s owners manual.
Then set up reminders on your phone or calendar for each service milestone. Trust me, your future self (and your wallet) will thank you when it’s time to resell. If you can dedicate yourself to sticking to this schedule, it’s guaranteed that you’ll avoid costly repairs and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
3. Stay Informed About Your Vehicle
You gotta be on top of things when it comes to your car’s needs. Do a dive deep into forums and car enthusiast sites because you’ll find a goldmine of information from people who can help you if something goes wrong with your car.
Another good idea is to set up Google alerts for your car’s make and model. Trust me, you’ll be delighted if you’re the first to catch a vehicle recall or some other common issue before the problem gets worse. This guide will help you set up Google Alerts and make you a master of it.
The more you know, the better your decisions with your mechanic will be. If your mechanic knows that you know your car pretty well, they’ll definitely treat you as a better customer, and you’ll be able to trust their work and abilities more. That’s a win win.
Review of Steps to Get Started:
- Review your vehicle’s owner’s manual
- Schedule your maintenance appointments
- Start organizing your maintenance records
- Address any current issues with your vehicle
- Commit to regular cleaning and detailing
The Impact on Resale Value
Let’s talk about where the rubber really meets the road. Regular maintenance keeps your vehicle running smoothly and preserves its value for when you’re ready to pass it on. Think of every oil change and tire rotation as an investment for the future – it’s like a savings plan..
Ask a Higher Asking Price
Here’s the truth – a well-maintained car is like a premium product – usually sold as ‘mint’. People are willing to pay a premium for quality. If you keep your vehicle in top condition throughout the years you drive it, you can command a higher price when it’s time to sell.
You can actually expect thousands more in your pocket. That’s significant money – the kind that could make a real difference in a down payment for your next vehicle purchase.
Get a Quicker Sale
There’s nothing like making a quick and solid sale. No one wants to waste time with indecisive buyers or lowballers, and a well-maintained car avoids all that. When they see the meticulous service records and the well-preserved body, they’re more likely to make a decision, rather quickly too. When a car looks good and runs well, there’s no problem moving it.
Win a Better Trade-In Value
You have much better options for trade-ins too. Dealerships are in the business of making profits so a well-maintained vehicle is quite valuable to them. You’ve actually got an advantage. Dealers more likely to offer you a competitive deal because they know they can resell your vehicle easily.
So make the effort to keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance because you’ll be happy you did when you’re able to upgrade to a better vehicle, thanks to the extra value you’ve preserved in your current one.
Key Areas to Focus On
When maintaining your vehicle for resale, certain areas deserve regular and special attention. These areas often face the most scrutiny from potential buyers. Pay attention to these areas, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Wheels and Tires
Keep an eye on your wheels and tires because they’re crucial for safety but if they’re kept up, they have value too. Rotate your tires every 8,000 to 13,000 kms (5,000 to 8,000 miles) to ensure even wear.
The tire pressure needs to be checked regularly because accurate inflation saves fuel and extends the life of the tires. Also, uneven wear of the tires may indicate alignment issues, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them for as long as you own the vehicle.
Don’t forget about your wheels either. Just clean them regularly to prevent brake dust buildup and if you have alloy wheels, after washing them, use a sealant to protect against oxidation.
Lastly, pay attention to your suspension components. Just listen for clunks or rattles over bumps because these could mean your shocks or struts are worn out. So remember a smooth ride is a big selling point, so keep these parts in good shape.
Engine Health
The engine is the heart of your vehicle and it needs regular attention. Everything from scheduled oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles to replacing air filter. Regular tune-ups keep everything running smooth and can add serious cash to your asking price.
Your vehicle is a complex machine that needs regular attention to keep it running smoothly. This means regular oil changes, timely air filter replacements, scheduled tune-ups, checking coolant levels, inspecting serpentine belts for wear, and ensuring there are no leaks from hoses or gaskets.
Transmission Care
Always keep an eye on the transmission fluid – check it every few months and change bring it into the mechanic for an inspection or tuneup according to your manual’s suggestion. Most vehicles need a transmission fluid change every approximately 48,000 to 96,000 kms (30,000 to 60,000 miles). Don’t ignore strange noises or rough shifting either. These issues could be warning signs of trouble.
A smooth-shifting transmission is a big selling point, and regular maintenance is the only way to ensure it’s working in tio-top condition.
Brake System Maintenance
Get your brakes inspected at least once a year or every 19,000 kms (12,000 miles). Don’t put off replacing the brake pads at all. Rotors usually last longer, but they need attention too. Keep an ear out for squealing or grinding and remember your brake fluid needs to occasionally be flushed. A well-maintained brake system is a strong selling point that can boost your vehicle’s resale value.
Remember, your vehicle’s brake system is critical for safety too. Regular inspections and timely replacements of brake pads and rotors are important but air in the ABS system affects brake performance, which can be a concern for potential buyers too. Just do your best to ensure your brake system is in top condition which will increase buyer confidence in your vehicle’s value.
Here’s a recap of key areas of your vehicle to pay attention to:
- Monitor fluid levels, such as coolant and brake fluid, to prevent overheating and maintain braking performance.
- Check for irregular noises or vibrations to catch issues like misfiring cylinders or worn bearings.
- Get inspections of belts and hoses to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
- Monitor the vehicle’s exhaust colour and odour.
- Keeping a keen eye on the battery condition and all connections.
- Use the right type and grade of oil, according to your vehicle’s make and model.
Here’s How to Start
If you’re new to long term vehicle maintenance, start by acquainting yourself with the owner’s manual to understand specific maintenance requirements and schedule a full vehicle inspection with a trusted mechanic to establish a baseline for future maintenance and identify any immediate needs.
