When someone buys a car, it’s rare that they do so with investment goals in mind. Typically, a car loses 10% of its value when you drive it off the lot, and it’s only downhill from there. However, this doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. By taking a few strategic steps, you can help keep your car’s resale value high and get the most out of it when it’s time to sell.  

If you’re looking to buy a new or pre-owned vehicle and want to maximize your trade-in value, be sure to keep the following tips in mind. 

8 Ways to Increase Your Car’s Resale Value 

1. Store Your Car Properly 

How and where you store your car significantly impacts its resale value. The best place to keep it is indoors and away from extreme weather. In addition to keeping it in a garage, consider using a breathable car cover to help prevent unsightly scratches and dings.  

For outdoor storage, invest in a high-quality, UV-resistant car cover. Prolonged exposure to the hot Arizona sun can fade paint, damage interiors, and degrade your tires. Keeping your car sheltered from the elements will help preserve its condition over time, resulting in a higher resale value. 

2. Keep Your Car Moving 

Cars are built to be driven, not to sit idle. Leaving your car parked for weeks or months at a time can cause all kinds of trouble, including general deterioration, fluid breakdown, battery drain, and even pest infestation. Experts recommend driving your car at least every 2–3 weeks to keep systems in working order and prevent deterioration. 

3. Buy With Resale in Mind 

While this shouldn’t be the only consideration when buying a new or pre-owned vehicle, the make and model of a vehicle go a long way toward resale value. Toyota and Lexus consistently rule the road in terms of maintaining value, but you don’t need to list yourself to these two brands.  

Online tools like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds can provide insight into how different vehicles hold their value, helping you make an informed decision. 

4. Keep Up with Maintenance 

Regular maintenance is essential for preserving your car’s value. While most people only consider mechanical maintenance, you will also need to maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle’s interior. A clean car has greater curb appeal, which results in higher resale values. To keep your interior pristine, consider these tips: 

• Use seat covers and floor mats 

• Enforce a no-smoking rule 

• Limit in-car eating, especially messy or sticky foods 

• Professionally detail car before selling 

Although keeping a tidy cabin is an important part of keeping your vehicle maintained, routine mechanical maintenance should be a top priority. Follow your owner’s manual for oil changes, fluid checks, and preventative maintenance. Aside from prolonging the vehicle’s life, detailed service records signal to potential buyers that the vehicle was well cared for. 

5. Manage Mileage Wisely 

Your car was made for driving, so this will be difficult, but a good rule of thumb is the lower the number on your odometer, the higher the number on your resale. To help control excessive mileage, it’s wise to budget your trips, much like you would with a leased vehicle. Joyrides can be fun, but you might want to second-guess those long Sunday drives if you’re trying to keep your vehicle’s value high. 

While there is no specific formula for how mileage affects your vehicle’s value, we recommend that you consider significant depreciation milestones for every 30,000 miles your car is driven. 

6. Stay On Top of Repairs 

Delaying repairs can lead to more significant problems down the road. Imagine that you hurt your knee and don’t visit a doctor. Eventually, your bad knee will begin to affect the rest of your body and lead to additional injuries. It’s the same thing with your car. If a component starts to fail or falls into disrepair, other parts of the vehicle will begin to suffer.  

Depending on the severity and type of the disrepair, you could find yourself at higher risk for an accident. When your vehicle is involved in an accident, its value plummets, so be sure to keep up with repairs and always drive safely. 

7. Replace Worn Tires 

Tires influence many aspects of your car, from fuel efficiency and dependability to performance and safety. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your tires, you will feel it when it comes time to make a sale. Not only will it lower the vehicle’s value, but it will give the buyer a platform to argue for a lower price. 

8. Avoid Unnecessary Modifications 

While home upgrades like a new kitchen often boost property value, the same isn’t true for cars. Custom exhaust systems, non-standard paint jobs, and other aftermarket modifications can reduce resale value by alienating potential buyers. 

Stick with the original manufacturer’s parts whenever replacements are needed, as buyers often prefer a vehicle in its original condition. This approach helps you appeal to a broader market and secure a better price. 

Maximize Value with Centennial Leasing & Sales 

Preserving your car’s resale value takes effort, but the payoff is worth it. Whether you’re protecting the paint, keeping the mileage low, or staying on top of repairs, these steps can help ensure that when it’s time to sell, you get the most value for your vehicle.  

When you partner with the expert auto brokers at Centennial Leasing & Sales, we can help you trade in your vehicle and put the money toward a new or pre-owned car while ensuring you get the best possible price.