All vehicle owners want to get the most value out of their vehicles as possible. Whether selling or trading in your car for a new one, getting the most money out of it depends on a few important factors, regular maintenance being the most vital.
If you plan to own a vehicle until it simply doesn’t run anymore, then resale value wouldn’t be important; but for those who only keep their vehicles for a couple of years at a time, maintaining its good condition is key to retaining more of the vehicle’s value when it’s time to sell.
Regularly documented maintenance may not mean that much to a car dealership, but if you are selling your car to a private party, they will often pay more if they can see that the vehicle has been cared for, kept clean, and well maintained.
AV Bumper to Bumper offers full service auto repair and maintenance for all types of vehicles. A family owned business since 2000, with a combined 68 years of auto mechanic experience; father, Ed Fawcett, Sr. and son, Ed Fawcett, Jr., are both ASE Certified Master Technicians in the auto industry. They believe in providing quality repairs and maintenance for each client. AV Bumper to Bumper serves areas of Southern California like Lancaster, and Palmdale, California.
AV Bumper to Bumper’s Tips for Regular Maintenance:
Regular Oil and Fluid Checks
- Making sure that you stay on schedule with regular oil and fluid checks keeps your car engine functioning at its best. Neglecting to get oil changes or refills when needed can significantly shorten the lifespan of a car’s engine. Any reputable mechanic will keep a record of any oil changes or refills and notify you when it’s time for the next check-up. Oil and other fluids should be checked regularly, depending on how much and how often your car is driven.
Maintaining Good Tires
- Driving on rough roads and highways and through all kinds of inclement weather can be hard on a car’s tires. Tires should be checked and rotated every 3,000-6,000 miles to lengthen the life of the tires and to keep your vehicle driving smoothly on the road. If your vehicle is front-wheel-drive, the front tires may wear more quickly, because of the added pressure of steering. So be sure to check these tires more often.
Keeping Brakes in Good condition
- Generally, brakes should be checked or replaced, approximately every 30,000 miles, depending on the amount of wear and tear on your vehicle. Particularly, when selling your vehicle to a private party, having brakes that are in good condition is a major selling point. Private buyers enjoy being able to purchase a vehicle that doesn’t need immediate repairs.
Of course, timing and proper pricing are other important factors that play a huge role in the successful selling of a car, but certainly, buyers and dealers are much more inclined to pay a premium resale price for a vehicle that is in great running condition. Regular maintenance of your vehicle keeps you and your loved ones safe on the road. It could help tremendously with increasing its resale value.
