How to Help Your Vehicle Retain Its Value
How to Help Your Vehicle Retain Its Value
Posted on October 7, 2024
Whether you are looking for new or used cars for sale in Calgary, a great price is always at the top of the list. How do you get the most value for your vehicle when deciding to sell? Caring for and servicing your car or truck regularly is essential so that it still looks and operates as new as possible. Vehicles depreciate as soon as they are taken off the lot, but you can use these tips to still attain top dollar.
Tips to Maintaining High Value for Your Vehicle
Taking care of your car or truck requires more than just being careful over those road bumps and driving the speed limit. Consider the following maintenance tips and you will surely reap the rewards.
- Rust Fight – Put up a fight when it comes to rust. Harsh winters combined with road salt and gravel everywhere can make it difficult to avoid corrosion. The metal components of your vehicle don’t like being coated with salt. You can, however, apply a coat of oil and special products to your vehicle to protect the undercarriage and engine bay from succumbing to the elements. It’s also a good idea to keep your vehicle washed regularly to prevent rust and corrosion from developing from rock chips in the paint. Potential buyers will be more interested thanks to the smooth appearance of your vehicle.
- Cleanliness – Cleaning your vehicle is more important than you may think. When wanting to run an ad on used cars for sale in Calgary site, you want your car or truck to present well. Make sure the pictures match reality by hand washing your vehicle. Avoiding automatic car washes means there is less chance of scratches. Rotating brushes and wheel-mounted guide rails can damage your automobile’s exterior. It is also good to remove dirt and grime with fresh water so there is no residue left from soaps and chemicals.
- Protection – Protect your seats from damage due to buttons and zippers on your clothes as you get in and out. This constant motion can wear down the seat material so you may want to invest in covers.
- Avoid further damage by storing your vehicle in a garage away from anything that may topple over and dent your car or truck. An enclosed parking space also prevents debris from landing on your vehicle when the wind picks up. Consider parking away from any trees because the sap and leaves can stick to your vehicle causing a mess, making it difficult to remove without damaging the finish.
- Mileage Tracker – Monitor how many kilometres you drive and try to sell your vehicle before the odometer number gets too high. The fewer kilometres you have on your vehicle, the higher the value. It is suggested to stay at or below the average driven km’s in a year which is around 20,000 km. Make use of a GPS to eliminate getting lost and driving around more than you need to.
- Avoid Aftermarket Modifications – Most buyers will shy away from add-ons like blackout window tinting and high-decibel mufflers. These things might even be illegal depending on where you live, and no one wants to be fined for driving. A good deal can diminish in the blink of an eye if you end up with a ticket every time you head out on the road.
- Mess and Smell – Eating, drinking, and smoking in your vehicle can cost you. Buyers don’t want to hop into a vehicle only to be wafted with the strong smell of tobacco. Try to avoid smoking in your car as the odour sticks around even after multiple interior washes. Eating and drinking can be messy and lead to stains on the interior of your car or truck.
- Regular Certified Maintenance – Get your vehicle checked out by a certified mechanic every year or two. This will help keep your transportation mode in good condition and give you peace of mind that there are no issues. A mechanic knows what to look for and how to fix things that you may not. Keep records of all services so the potential buyer has proof that you have done your due diligence to keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Ford Trade-in Value
At Metro Ford, we help with used cars for sale in Calgary by offering to trade your vehicle in for another. This means you can avoid the hassle of doing all the sales work yourself. The better you take care of your vehicle, the higher your chances of getting a great trade-in value. We will give you our honest opinion and advice while guiding you through our available vehicles. Finding you the right fit for your lifestyle is our goal.