Everyone knows that the longer you keep a vehicle, the more value it loses. This is called depreciation. There’s not much you can do to halt the slide in your car’s value altogether, but there are tips for slowing it down. Keeping the mileage low is the obvious step, but here are some other ways which might be less immediately apparent.

Smoking

Studies have revealed that if you’re a regular smoker who lights up in the car, you could be wiping as much as £2000 off its value. Cigarette smoke is very difficult to shift out of the upholstery, and can’t really be disguised with lots of air fresheners either. A professional valet might help, as will refreshing the air conditioning system. However, the only option might be to replace the seats entirely, which is an expensive business. Step out of the car if you want to have a cigarette.

Using Substandard Parts

Car parts can be expensive, but it’s false economy to try to cut costs too much. Never buy counterfeit car parts; they can be unsafe and may lead to a failure on the annual MOT test too. Always choose parts from a reputable manufacturer. Try to avoid buying from scrap yards or auction sites as you can never be entirely sure about the history of the parts. Even better, tell your mechanic what parts you suspect need to be replaced and ask them to do the work before they run the car through its MOT test.

Neglecting Maintenance

Buyers want to see a car which has been well looked after, with regular service history. Change the oil and air filter in line with manufacturers’ instructions, and wash it too in order to avoid conditions which could lead to rust developing. Equally important as getting the work done is keeping written records of what has been done and when. Buyers are always impressed to be handed a folder containing receipts from every MOT and service which the car has ever had.

Weird Paint Colour

There’s nothing wrong with deciding you’re not happy with the original colour of the car and getting it resprayed. A full respray may cost around £2,500 but can totally transform the appearance of the vehicle. The key is to be careful with the colour choice. Sticking to the car’s original colour is always a good idea or choose a neutral shade such as grey, black or white. Avoid super bright shades of pink, orange or lime green as you’re really cutting the potential market for your car.

Pets in Cars

Pet smells in upholstery can linger in the same way as cigarette smoke, which is a problem for dog owners who transport their pets in the back seat or hatchback boot. Try to prevent pet smells getting into the seats and carpets by using plastic liners or covers to protect the upholstery. Before selling the car, give it a thorough vacuum to remove any visible pet hair before the buyers arrive to look at your car.