Improving Your Vehicle's Value

It's time to buy a new car and you are ready to sell your old one or trade it in. To get the most value for your car, here are a few things to consider - some you can do now, others you can consider as you make your next purchase:
1. Consider Resale Value When Buying. Buy a car that will hold its value. Resale value is based on many factors, including desirability and reliability. Some makes, such as Toyota, Honda, Mercedes and Lexus, always hold their value well. Use a good used car-pricing site such Kelley Blue Book, to research the resale history of models in which you are interested. Some options, such as air conditioning or a sunroof, will improve your car's resale value; consider buying them even if they aren't on your personal must-have list.
2. Maintain and Retain. Follow the maintenance schedule recommended by your owner's manual. Keep receipts for all maintenance and repair work, no matter how minor. A stack of receipts underscores the fact that your car has been well taken care of. Savvy used car buyers will be willing to pay extra for a car with a fully documented service history. Also, fix everything in your car as soon as it breaks. If you're going to keep your car as long as possible, you have to want to keep it as long as possible. Don't ignore seemingly unimportant problems like broken trim bits, torn upholstery, or electrical glitches. Little annoyances tend to add up and can begin to erode your love affair with your old car. When making repairs, ask for quality parts. Discuss your options with your mechanic or parts store clerk.
3. Don't Damage the Goods. If your car has been in a collision, any kind of damage can affect your car's resale value. If your car was is in a major collision, it could get reported to Carfax. In any event, if your car is damaged, use an experienced repair shop with a good reputation and insist on using factory (also known as OEM, for Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. Save all receipts and be up front and honest about any collision repair work when it comes time to sell or trade. Being evasive about collision repair may lead the buyer to believe that the damage was more extensive than you are letting on.
4. Don't customize. Spending money on your car can actually decrease its value. If you do have your car customized, stick to non-intrusive upgrades such as new wheels or an upgraded stereo that won't require extensive re-wiring or cutting up the dashboard. Before all of this, your first priority should be to fix anything that's broken or damaged for example dints in the bodywork or broken stereo equipment.
5. Keep it clean. The better your car appears to be kept up, the more it will be worth, and most people associate cleanliness with care. Washing and waxing your car on a regular basis is a much easier way to keep it looking good than paying for an expensive detail job when the time comes to sell. You can also have your car detailed; something most car dealerships do before reselling used cars, which gives the car a new car look and smell. Detailing is an investment well worth the cost.
Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area and is known as one of the bad credit car dealers in Austin. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.
By G Chapman