For the Sake of the Sale
Plenty of people buy cars planning to eventually sell them one day. However, it turns out that lots of little things you do every day can impact the value of your car. To retain sale value, here are 20 things to keep in mind.
1. Bumper Stickers
Bumper stickers may seem so innocent, and after all, a car is an extension of your personality. But it turns out plenty of buyers might not care for the bumper stickers you choose, especially if they’re political in nature. To avoid making a mess, it’s best to take your car to a dealership to remove them properly.
2. Paint Color
Painting your car a different color after purchasing it can be quite noticeable, and for a buyer that prefers a subtle or standard look, it can be a major turn-off.
3. Lack of Replacement Parts
Turns out if the parts your car needs are no longer being manufactured, it’ll be a hard sell. This makes sense, as the reliability of your car will be put into question. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about this.
4. Unpopular Color
Not only will painting your car hurt its value, but if you’re going to do it, make sure you choose a popular color. Turns out if it’s a weird color like green or orange, you’ll have an even harder time turning a profit.
5. Wear and Tear
Wear and tear is unavoidable if you plan on using your car, and of course, a vehicle will be more valuable in pristine condition than in moderately used conditions. To help with this, try to fix damage as soon as it occurs and be sure to clean the car regularly.
6. Oil Changes
It’s also important to frequently change your car’s oil, and keeping records of these changes can drive up your car’s value. On the other hand, if you have no proof of these changes, buyers will be hesitant to trust your car.
7. Smoking
Smoking inside your car can lead to a bunch of bad buildup in the upholstery and can even cause a lingering smell that others may instantly recognize. It’s best to avoid smoking in the car; otherwise, it may hurt your resale value.
8. Messy Interior
Obviously, you should get the inside of your car cleaned up before showing it to potential buyers. Stains, crumbs, and collected trash are going to have most buyers turning away the moment they lay eyes on your vehicle.
9. Tire Rotations
Another important part of maintenance is making sure the tires are healthy and in top shape. With that in mind, a car with no history of tire changes, check-ups, and rotations is less likely to sell well.
10. Modifications
Modifications are a broad spectrum, but it turns out adding anything after purchasing that alters the car’s engine or appearance can contribute to lower costs. This will likely be because the buyers need to undo your modifications.
11. Dirty Exterior
Just like the interior of the car, it’s also important to keep the outside looking good. No one’s going to want a car that’s covered in stains, smudges, and months’ worth of dirt buildup. Be sure to run your car through a power wash before showing it off.
12. No Car History
No one wants to buy a car that has a big question mark as its history. It’s important to keep track of every replacement and repair so the future owner can make necessary changes as needed.
13. Excessive Mileage
This is an obvious one, but the amount of miles your car has racked up will certainly affect its resale ability. Of course, you need to use your car, but don’t be surprised accepting a lower deal, as a car with more mileage will likely need more repairs.
14. Faded Highlights
One of the first things people notice about a car is the headlights, which almost feel akin to a car’s face. With that in mind, if your headlights have a faded quality to them, potential buyers might be hesitant to make a purchase.
15. Cracked Taillights
Another factor to consider is the back of your car, where you won’t have any luck getting away with hidden scratches or cracks. Keeping taillights up to par is equally important, which is why you should remove plastic blemishes the moment you notice them.
16. Poor Maintenance
Maintenance check-ups aren’t just a suggestion; they’re a necessity. Not only does this ensure your car’s health and prevent it from breaking down randomly, but it also keeps up its value as potential buyers will be more trusting of your vehicle.
17. Accidents
Accidents obviously drive up vehicle prices and can cause the car’s value to go down significantly. Of course, these things happen, so it’s important to repair any damage immediately and restore parts as needed.
18. Using Old Tires
Not only is tire maintenance important, but selling a car with worn-out tires is going to drive down the value. Tires are one of the most important parts of the entire vehicle, and they are needed to ensure grip and safety.
19. Overt Customization
While you may think a certain customization is super cool, the buyers might not necessarily agree, and this limits your buyer pool. Bumper stickers are one thing, but custom wheels or aftermarket stereos are a whole other ballgame that can be quite pricey to remove and replace.
20. Unrepaired Damage
You might have learned to live with the weird crack in your window or ignore the scratch on your hood, but a buyer will see that as a perfectly good reason to take 20% off the asking price. Save yourself the trouble and fix up everything you need to before putting the car up for sale.
