6 Easy Ways to Maintain the Value of Your Car

Cars are notorious for depreciating in value very quickly. However, with a little bit of know-how and the right TLC, you can maintain the value of your car for a little longer than is typically the case. It will require some investment in time and money on your part, but it’s worth it.

Here are 6 easy ways to maintain the value of your car.

1. Keep It in a Garage

Mother Nature provides us with some absolutely beautiful scenery, but she’s also known to deliver harsh weather on occasion. If you keep your car outdoors, you’re subjecting it to damage that’s caused by storms, wind, heat, and cold.

Clean out your garage so that it has enough room to store a car. Then, put your vehicle in there every night and remember to close the garage door. You’ll do a lot to maintain the Kelley Blue Book value of your car by keeping it, as much as possible, out of the elements of nature.

2. Get Periodic Tune-Ups

One of the best ways to maintain the value of your car is to practice the routine maintenance that’s required not only for that specific car, but vehicles in general. To that end, get regular tune-ups. That way, you’ll prevent small problems from turning into big problems later on.

3. Don’t Smoke in Your Car

Avoid smoking in your car whenever you’re driving it. Even with the windows rolled down, it’s likely that some of the scent from your smoking habit will stick with the vehicle. That’s going to deter potential buyers later on, especially if they aren’t smokers.

4. Clean Stains as Soon As Possible

Sometimes, when you’re in a hurry, you like to eat in your car. Unfortunately, you can spill sauce, soda, or juice on the carpet. When that happens, clean the stain as soon as possible. You’ll improve the cosmetic appearance of your car and that will help retain its value.

For the record, though, it’s probably best if you avoid eating in your car as much as possible. Sure, there are times when you’re in a pinch and you can’t avoid it. However, keep it to a minimum.

5. Get the Oil Changed Regularly

As we’ve seen, it’s a good idea to pay attention to routine maintenance responsibilities so that you can preserve the value of your car. In addition to routine tune-ups, you should also get your oil changed regularly.

Consult your vehicle manual about how often to get the oil changed. As a rule of thumb, you should get the oil changed every 3,000 – 5,000 miles.

6. Drive It As Little As Possible

If you want to preserve the value of your car, drive it as little as possible. The less wear and tear you put on your vehicle, the less it will depreciate in value.

If you do have to drive it a lot, make sure that you go the extra mile when it comes to routine maintenance. Also, get a gas credit card so that you can save money with a rewards program.

If you have any aspiration to sell your car when you get a new one, you’ll want to get as much as you can for it. To that end, do everything you can to preserve its value.