Automobiles tend to depreciate quickly, but if you know how to take care of your car well, you can maintain a lot of its value and make sure you get a good deal when you sell it. It’s not a hard process and requires only that you check the condition of your car regularly. Here are five easy steps to making sure your car retains as much value as it can.

1. Pick a Neutral Color
Bright, eye-catching colors like orange, purple or yellow are not easy to sell. If you want to keep as much of your car’s value as you can, start by picking a neutral color, like black, white, silver or a muted primary color. The color of the car has a direct impact on its resale value.

2. Regular Documented Maintenance
“Documented” here is the key word. Take your car to check-ups on a regular basis and keep the records somewhere safe. Interested used car buyers will give your car more value if you can show them that you’ve made the effort to keep it regularly maintained by professional mechanics. Regularly serviced cars retain more value because they normally work longer without problems.

3. Don’t Smoke, Eat, or Drink in Your Car
Drink and food stains as well as cigarette smell can ruin a car. Anyone who doesn’t smoke will be immediately turned off by the car and you’ll lose a huge pool of potential used car buyers. Stains and leftover food odors can be very difficult to remove and will definitely decrease the value of your car. Read the rest of this entry »