When you buy your new car, truck or SUV, are you thinking about what you’ll do to maintain your resale value? This Ford F-150 from Prestige Ford in Garland (serving the greater Dallas area) looks amazing now, but what will it look like or be valued at when you want to sell it or trade it in years later?
Simple Steps to Help you Make More Money When You Sell or Trade-In
The last thing you think about when you drive off the lot in your brand new car, truck or SUV is when and how much you are going to sell it for. The truth is that is actually the best to start thinking about resale. Many of our customers ask, “How can I get top dollar for my old car?” If you’re wondering what will make your vehicle more valuable down the road, ere are some great tips from NADA to keep in mind.
Top tips to maintaining resale value:
1. Avoid driving excessive miles
If you and your family are planning on taking a long road trip, you may want to consider renting a car. The cost of the rental could be much less than the potential depreciation in the value of your high mileage car come resale time.
2. Have your vehicle serviced on a regular basis and keep all records of maintenance and repair. Routine car care will help you avoid costly and unnecessary repairs, and some prospective buyers might be willing to pay more for a car thats been routinely serviced.
3. Avoid excessive wear and tear
It’s key to treat your vehicle right to help maintain its value. Simple things like avoiding extreme start-and-stop driving, over-towing, excessive speeds or driving in areas with poor road conditions.
4. Clean it up!
Have your car, truck or SUV detailed on a regular basis inside and out and be sure to use a coat of wax to protect your vehicles paint surface from nature’s elements.
5. Store it!
If you live in an extremely cold or warm environment and you have the facility to store your car inside, do it. Excessive sun can fade the outer surfaces of your car, including paint, trim and moldings. Additionally, extremely cold temperatures and environmental conditions can wreak havoc on your cars internal engine components.
6. Harsh winters can hit your vehicle hard. It’s important to remove things like sand, dirt or salt deposits (if you travel to areas where they use salt) that can eventually lead to paint deterioration and more.
7. Your car isn’t a drive thru
Avoid eating and drinking inside your vehicle, and by all means, you shouldn’t smoke in it. Things like spills, cigarette smoke and food stains can ruin the interior and smell of your car, which will ultimately be a detriment to your resale value.
At Prestige Ford in Garland (serving the greater Dallas area), we are always looking for quality pre-owned vehicles. We will appraise your car for free. And, we will buy yours, even if you’re not buying from us! Are you ready to sell your Ford F-150, Super Duty, Fusion, Fiesta, Explorer, Escape, or Edge? We also buy other makes, such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, Chevy, Dodge and much more! So, when you are ready to sell, make sure you take the short drive down 635 to Shiloh Road off Garland Ave. And visit us online anytime at Prestige Ford in Garland.
In the meantime, make sure you are taking good care of your vehicle. It will not only make you more money later, it will help you feel good about your vehicle the whole time you own and drive it. Plus, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you’ve maximized the value of your hard-earned dollars!