The day you bring home your new car is well-worth
celebrating. The day you trade it in for a new vehicle can be just as exciting,
especially if you have maintained your vehicle well over the years. Learn why
proper maintenance is so important, both during ownership and when trading in,
from our team at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville.
Cost vs. Benefit. There are two primary reasons
individuals don't get proper maintenance on their vehicles: time and money.
Those who don't have enough time to keep their vehicle maintained will
definitely not have enough time to get it repaired down the road. Those who are
worried about the cost of maintaining a vehicle need to examine two things: the
cost of getting a vehicle repaired due to a lack of maintenance, and the
increase in resale value as a result of proper maintenance.
Documentation. So you followed your maintenance log
that came with your vehicle, right? Great! You also documented each and every
oil change, tune up, tire rotation, windshield wiper switch, and whatever else
you could think of documenting, correct? Having this information on hand makes
your vehicle much more attractive to buyers. If you tell a prospective buyer
that you've meticulously maintained your vehicle, he or she will be more likely
to believe you if it's properly documented in a log book, especially when
accompanied by receipts.
Recommended maintenance and what to record. If you
haven't kept a log, gather your receipts. If you don't have receipts, go
through credit card statements. Make sure your records are accurate. Here are
some of the things you should document:
- Fluid changes
- Tire rotation
- Paint or body shop receipts
- Engine repair paperwork
- Car detailing receipts
- Inspection reports
- Smog certificates
Other recommended maintenance. Obviously, nobody
wants to buy a car that doesn't run well, but in your haste to document and
maintain mechanical aspects of the vehicle, don't neglect to maintain the
exterior and interior. Unsightly blemishes on the exterior or a torn, ripped,
or dirty interior can distract from your well-organized documentation as well.
Pre-sale preparation. In addition to routine cleaning
of the car's exterior and interior, there are a few things you're going to want
to pay special attention to when preparing a car for resale. Clean the
windshields inside and out. Use a high-quality product to return the luster to
vinyl surfaces and components on the inside. Vacuum the upholstery and carpets.
Wipe down surfaces. If you've been doing this all along, you'll have no
problems when it comes to preparing the vehicle. Keep the exterior free of
debris and give it a good detailing when preparing it for sale.
There are more factors than routine maintenance when it comes to maintaining a car's value. Take note, however, that an unmaintained vehicle will fetch less money, regardless of its make or model.
No comments:
Post a Comment