How to Increase the Value of Your Car 

Mark Meester • April 19, 2023

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A man using a microfiber cloth to clean a fancy car.

Vehicles are unique, compared to any other high-dollar purchase, in that they significantly depreciate the moment you leave the dealer’s lot. Despite this, there are ways to improve the value of your vehicle if you plan on selling it or just want to maintain that new car smell as much as possible. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how to increase the value of your car. Here’s what you need to know:

 

Get Your Car Detailed

Want to increase the value of your vehicle? The first thing you should do is clean it – and we’re not just talking about running it through the car wash or spraying it off with your garden hose. We’re talking about actually cleaning it. While you can bust out the shop vacuum and dust wipes, a better bet is often to take it to a professional for car detailing services. For a few hundred dollars, a professional will thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

Repair Any Minor Dents or Scratches

fixing the underside of a car with putty can help you know how to increase the value of your car

Exterior damage such as dents and scratches are resale value killers. While some dents can be easily popped out, scratches tend to be a bit more difficult to repair – especially deep ones that have damaged the paintwork. While it’s possible to touch up scratches yourself, it’s often a better idea to take your vehicle to a specialty repair shop.

 A professional can ensure a perfect paint match on any touch-ups and also eliminate any minor scratches on the body. A professional can also repair other types of vehicle damage, such as rust.

Keep a Maintenance Record

Keeping good maintenance records simply proves to a potential buyer that you’ve done your due diligence when it comes to making sure the vehicle is in good overall operating condition. That said, you’ll want to keep basic vehicle records of routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and new air filters. Be sure to also have records of any other maintenance work performed (i.e., new brake rotors) or of manufacturer-recommended maintenance (i.e., transmission flushes, new tires, etc.).

Include Everything That Came With the Car

From parcel shelves to spare tires to tool kits, it’s important to include everything that initially came with the vehicle when you’re looking to sell it. Think of it this way: If you eliminate any key features or accessories that should be with the vehicle, you’re essentially giving a buyer an excuse not to move forward with the purchase or you’re giving them more negotiating leverage.

a gentleman in a white shirt passes a spare key to the new owner helping him to learn  how to increase the value of your car

Including every accessory – even down to something as simple as the spare key – can make a big difference when it comes to resale value.

Contact Us Today

For more information on how to increase the value of your car and the role, a professional body and auto restoration shop can play in helping you do it, contact Wrecktify Collision today. From auto detailing to collision repair to complete vehicle restoration services, Wrecktify Collision will have your car running and looking great. Contact us today for more information and to get an estimate. 

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