Five ways to increase car value
Learn how to maximise your car’s value for when it's time to sell or part exchange
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How to increase car resale value
Finding how to increase car value can really make the difference when it comes to selling or part exchange.
There are a few small things you can do to make your car more attractive to potential buyers, dealers or websites – so it’s worth putting in the effort to get as much as possible for your vehicle.
In summary:
Clean and well-maintained cars keep their value
Fix cosmetic issues like scratches and scuffs
But also keep on top of wear and tear like tyres and brakes
Don't rag it! Drive gently and keep mileage low
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Car resale value explained
Car resale value is largely based on things like the model of your car and how desirable it is, the age, mileage and condition it’s in.
There are a few things you can do to make your car more attractive, and some of them take barely any effort at all.
Keep it clean
Does cleaning your car increase its value? It might seem basic, but a clean car indicates a well-looked-after car and this is attractive to dealers.
If your car looks like it’s been well maintained and cared for, the dealer can be more likely to make you a better offer.
This includes the interior, as well. Make sure you wipe it down and vacuum it ahead of your inspection to make the best first impression.
Drive carefully
This isn’t a quick fix and is something you’ll need to do from purchasing the car, but careful and considered driving will help you retain value for when it’s time to sell.
Hitting potholes and ragging your car around at high speeds will lead to more wear and tear, and this will decrease the value of your car.
Be kind to your car and it will be kind to you when it’s time to get valued.
Fix cosmetic issues
We say it’s what’s inside that matters, but there’s no denying that a car that looks great is worth more.
If you can take care of cosmetic issues, your car is likely to be valued higher.
This can include things like:
Alloy scuffs
Small dents or scratches
Windscreen chips
Larger scratches and dents might take a bit more work or the hand of a professional, but it’s often easy to polish out smaller imperfections and this can make a difference to your car’s value.
Keep the mileage low
A great way to maintain your car’s value is to keep your mileage low – which can be hard if you use your car daily.
Cars with fewer miles on the clock are attractive to dealers and potential buyers as they feel newer and in better shape.
Low mileage means that tyres, brakes and other parts that are susceptible to wear and tear have been used less. This implies to the next owner that it's less likely they'll have to make replacements.
If you’re dead set on retaining as much value as possible from your car, then you might want to cut out journeys where possible and get your steps in.
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Change the tyres
Do new tyres add value to a car? Well, they can – but that’s down to the individual dealer or buyer and what they deem as a selling point.
If your tyres are visibly worn and in poor condition, it’s definitely in your best interest to replace them with a fresh set. Buyers will be put off by worn-down tyres as they’ll know this is something they’ll need to replace.
You can maintain your car's value by ensuring that parts like tyres and brakes are in good condition, with brand-new parts being a bonus.
Keep hold of your receipts for any new tyres, and any other work you have done, for potential buyers.
Keep an eye on new releases
The age of your car can impact its value when it’s time to part-exchange or sell, and that’s especially true if new models have been released.
You’ll usually get the most for your car if you sell it while it’s the latest model or one of the latest on the market.
If you know of new car launches coming up that are going to make yours seem aged, it might be a good idea to sell sooner rather than later.
How to add value to a car
Try and tick off as many of these checks as possible before selling your car. These could help maximise its value:
Have a good stretch until your next MOT, and any advisories taken care of
Maintain a regular and well-documented service history
Take care of cosmetic issues, like chips or dents
Keep your car clean, inside and out
Drive cautiously and keep mileage as low as possible
Make sure you have extras, like any spare keys and your locking wheel nut key
Keep documents and receipts for maintenance, as well as other documents that might appeal to a buyer (things such as warranty information or handbooks)
Make the most of your car’s value with cinch
We offer free and instant part exchange quotes online if you're ready to find the value of your vehicle to trade in.
There are no hidden fees and your quote will mean a guaranteed price for your car. We'll then come and collect it from you, for an easy and stress-free experience.
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