How to Maintain Top Value of Your Vehicle
Ensuring That Your Vehicle Maintains Its Value Over the Course of Ownership
By Andrew Laursen – Auto Consultant
If you haven’t noticed by now, there has been a large used car value increase over the last couple of years which has led many to wonder how much their own vehicle might be worth. That answer is directly based on how much routine maintenance you have put into your vehicle over the course of ownership. Regular car maintenance can greatly impact how much money you can expect to receive for it when selling or trading it in for another vehicle.
For starters, closely following the maintenance schedule that’s usually in your vehicle’s owners manual will ensure that you get top dollar when it comes time to part ways with it. Check out our blog from November 2022, “What to Address With Your Service Advisor,” for a great checklist of routine maintenance items to keep an eye out for when taking your vehicle in for service. You’d be surprised how many things get overlooked which can lead to more costly repairs and lower a vehicle’s overall value when it’s time to sell.
Here’s a useful list of things that we suggest to keep an eye on which will maintain the value of your ride at the top of the charts, when properly maintained.
Check Frequently
- Oil and all other fluid levels
- Tires
- Lights
- Check Engine Light is Present
Check Monthly
- Batteries and cables
- Wiper blades
- Belts and hoses
- Power steering
- Engine air filter
Check Every Six Months
- Exterior vehicle paint finish
- Steering and suspension components
- Exhaust system
- All electrical components
Check Every Year
- Brake system
- Cabin air filter
- Shocks and struts
- Coolant
Check Every Two Years
- Transmission
- Ignition system
- Fuel filter
Longer-Term Checks
- Tires
- Front and rear differentials
- Battery(s)
- Transfer case
- Timing belt
- Spark plugs
- Serpentine belt
- Clear bra and vehicle wrap
For people who like to keep their vehicles for a longer amount of time, your engine may reach the end of its useful life and need replacement because the costs of repair could eventually outweigh a brand new engine’s price tag. If you are in that situation, you may be pondering, does a new engine increase the value of my car? The short answer is no. Even if you replace the entire engine on your vehicle, it still does not negate all of the mileage that you have put on the odometer since you first purchased it and certainly does not negate the presence of other aging components that have been on your vehicle for its entire life. In fact, in many cases a new engine can be a detractor to some prospective buyers unless proper comprehensive documentation is included with the vehicle in order to show that the new engine was correctly installed by a certified ASE professional. If you do decide to go through with replacing your vehicle’s engine, look at it as a personal investment and a way of saving money rather than spending more money on an entirely new vehicle.
At Auto House, we often hear, “what is the best way to check value of my car.” Well, you can always receive a free car valuation at any of our locations throughout Arizona or use other trusted sources, such as Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. These industry standard sources will give you a good idea of what you can potentially get for your vehicle whether you decide to sell via private party or trade in at the dealership. In order to get the best estimate possible when using these sites, make sure that you notate any dings, dents, scratches, aesthetic, or mechanical issues that may be present on your vehicle.
Contact Auto House today and schedule your free vehicle valuation.