Things to avoid that could devalue your car
Could you be devaluing your car
Buying a used vehicle is a big deal, regardless of your budget. You have the opportunity to test your attention to detail, eye for a bargain and obviously your negotiation skills, and when the deal is finally done, you now have independence.
The majority of people try and upgrade their vehicle at least every 3 – 4 years and will either opt to trade-in their vehicle against their next used / new vehicle or alternatively try and sell their vehicle in the private marketplace through various classified advertisement websites.
However, do you know how much your daily routines are devaluing your car? These habits can turn away a potential buyer in minutes! Let’s review them…
Using detergents and solvents
Some enjoy washing their vehicles on a easy Sunday morning, others just need to give it a quick rinse before they head to the in-laws and others attend charity washes to see the pretty girls. Who out of this list is using dedicated car shampoo? Most likely none of them. Many resort to washing up liquid when giving their vehicle a scrub! The solvents and salt it contains will strip away the wax from your bodywork encouraging paint layers to flake off and rust to attack. This will be spotted by a potential buyer instantly and make them turn on their heel
Smoking in the car
Smoke in your car and you’ll knock at least 10 per cent off its resale price and that’s if it sells at all. Some traders are so sniffy about tobacco-tainted interiors they won’t consider buying vehicles that have been smoked in. You will also see many advertisers today promote their vehicles as smoke-free.
Messy little rascals
Okay so we can’t ban the kids from the vehicle or make them sit in the boot but we can prepare for messy little mishaps. Always carry plenty of wet wipes for spillages and black bags for rubbish. No buyer will appreciate fingerprinted stains on the fabric.
Lack of TLC (Tender Loving Care)
Look after your vehicle and it will take care of you. Many drivers view servicing to be irrelevant until their vehicle is nearly in smoke on the side of the road and then wonder what went wrong. No brainer people! Driving is costly but you can’t cut motoring costs by axing essentials such as servicing. Try to sell a vehicle that you never got serviced and you will learn that it is quite difficult to do. A buyer isn’t willing to buy your problem. They want a vehicle they can trust.
Vehicle Modifications
Nobody, let me repeat nobody appreciates vehicle modifications! You may think a new loud exhaust pipe and luminous body spray are cool but do you realise how much you are costing yourself by doing so? Adding modifications to a vehicle narrows your potential market completely making it difficult to re-sell. 
Author
Justin Kavanagh
Justin Kavanagh is a recognised leader
in automotive intelligence and vehicle
data supply to the entire motor industry.
He has almost 20 years experience in
building systems from the ground up.
As the Managing Director of Vehicle
Management System, he understands the
need and importance of trustworthy and
reliable vehicle history and advice to
both the trade and the public.
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