Tips for Maintaining Your Car's Resale Value

With used car prices being at an all-time high, it's a great time to consider selling your vehicle. If you're planning to resell your car, it's essential to maintain its condition to get a top resale price. By following these tips, you can maximize your used car's resale value.

Wax your car two to four times a year

After application, car wax hardens to form a protective layer that lasts 8-12 weeks on your vehicle's exterior. The wax protects the paint against damaging environmental factors like sun, pollen, salt, and minor scratches. It also adds shine and makes washing your car's exterior much easier.

Change the oil regularly

Changing your oil will not only improve fuel efficiency and mileage, it will also extend the longevity of your engine. Not changing your oil when it is due can cause your engine to overheat, which may cause damage to the vehicle. A good rule of thumb is to change your oil after every 5,000 kilometers, but you can consult your vehicle's owner manual for a more accurate measure.

Remember, maintaining your car is like maintaining a healthy lifestyle; it requires consistent attention but will benefit you significantly in the long run. With this being the case, take your car in for it’s yearly maintenance at a trusted mechanic shop. Listen to them about areas that will need to be addressed in the near future, but rely on the advice of others and do your due diligence on the urgency of the repairs. If you don’t know much about cars, call a friend or check out the numerous internet forums that exist.

Wash your car regularly

Washing your car a minimum of twice a month (or whenever it gets dirty) is recommended to remove debris that could scratch the car's clear coat. Mud, dirt, rain, sap, and even salt contain minerals that can damage the paint job. At Vroom Crew we use several different Quick Detailers that can be used every week to avoid dust and grime building up on the surface of your vehicle. It takes 5 minutes, but it can save you a bunch of time when you do a full detail on the exterior. Check out this product on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-NR2010Q-Rinse-Wash-Shine/dp/B00D8DR0AO/ref=sr_1_23?crid=HD1I0Z6J47AF&dchild=1&keywords=waterless+car+wash&qid=1629477614&sprefix=waterless+%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-23

Use floor mats and seat covers to preserve the interior

Floor mats are a great way to prevent salt and mud from damaging your carpets. Putting floor mats in both your front and back seats and cleaning them regularly will keep your carpets in tip-top condition. We recommend cleaning and changing your carpet floor mats seasonally to avoid salt damage or deeply embedded stains. Our Spring Clean package focuses on removing salt (through salt remover and steam cleaning) after a hard winter.

Weather Tech, TuxMat, Husky Floorliners (or other fitted mats) do an excellent job minimizing salt damage and other stains on your carpets (trust us, we've seen it first hand). While they are a considerable investment, the ease of cleaning your vehicle's carpets and avoidance of salt buildup will once again contribute to a better resale value for your car.

Undercoating

With the rough winters that we experience in Atlantic Canada, you should consider getting your car undercoated once per year, preferably in the Spring. Rust on the undercarriage or around the doors and body panels can significantly decrease the resale value of your vehicle. Companies such as Rust Check or Krown are trusted providers of such applications. Be sure to read the Google reviews of your local provider to make the best decision on which company you choose.

By following these simple tips, you can be sure to maintain a great resale value for your used car. Vroomcrew offers a monthly maintenance package that ensures your vehicle is well taken care of to make following these tips even more effortless.