Shopping for a new car is always an exciting time. If you are someone who is into all the latest bells and whistles each year brings when the new cars roll out from the assembly line, it’s enough to make you forget about the car you are using for a trade-in.
Up to this point, you’ve probably been focused on what color, make, and model car you want to purchase and haven’t given a lot of thought to anything else.
Here we’ll go over what you should take into consideration before trading your vehicle. Some things probably cannot be modified, such as mileage and any maintenance you may or may not have done. But there are things you can fix to increase the trade-in value of your car.
Contents
Factor #1. Color
Do you have a white car? Then consider yourself lucky. White cars tend to have a better resale value, mainly because they are highly visible on the road. PPG Industries reports that white is the most popular color in the USA (35%), followed by black (17%), silver (12%), and gray (12%).
Off-beat colors like lemon yellow, orange, and neutral colors like gold and beige do well in the used car market. However, they have only three percent of the new sales market. Off-beat colors aren’t as available, so if you are determined to get a Lexus CT 200H in what Lexus calls “Daybreak Yellow,” also known as taxicab yellow, you’ll pay more money for this color car than you would for a white or black car.
Factor #2. Mileage and Maintenance
Mileage is important. Cars with more than 100,000 miles on them are a red flag for potential buyers. It doesn’t matter that your car has been dependable after reaching the 200,000 mile mark with few problems. Resale value is going to take a huge hit.
On average, a person puts between 12,000 and 15,000 miles on their car each year. If you drive a long way to work and your mileage goes over the average, your car has likely been driven pretty hard. Mechanical issues are expected to occur. It may not have happened to you yet, but your vehicle is a ticking time bomb.
To increase resale value in the future, you must regularly maintain your car to ensure more reliability. Always follow your manufacturers’ maintenance schedule, which includes oil and filter changes. Keep all maintenance records for everything you do on your car, no matter how minor it may be.
Factor #3. Exterior Damage
Many people think of car accidents as the primary contributor to auto body damage. However, there are many reasons a car’s exterior might need repairs. The first impression someone has of your car is essential. A rusted, dented car isn’t going to bring nearly the money as a car that’s free of dings and dents.
The exterior of a car is just as important as the interior. Make sure you park your car undercover when possible and be extra careful not to scratch the paint if you are pulling into tight parking spaces or gas pump areas.
Weather Damage
Damage from the weather can happen in any season, but during the rainy fall and spring, hail and heavy winds can leave numerous dents and chipped paint. Again, try to keep your car undercover as often as possible to avoid weather damage.
Collision
A significant collision can cause an enormous amount of damage to your car. These accidents can cause a shattered windshield, engine failure, and entire panels to be destroyed, leaving steering inoperable. Fender benders can cause several problems as well. Sometimes, fender benders can cause problems that aren’t always readily seen to the untrained eye. Always visit an auto body shop after any collision to check for damages to the frame, engine, windshield, steering, or any other parts that aren’t noticeable except by a professional.
It’s not just collisions that can cause dents and dings, runaway golf balls, baseballs, deer crossing the road, a pothole, and even a faulty parking brake can cause damage to your car. Most damages can be avoided, but some things are going to be out of your control.
Call JM When You Have Dings and Dents
Most people are hesitant to go to a professional shop to repair a dent, but only a professional at JM Dent Repair can get out all types of dents and dings. We always recommend using a skilled paintless dent repair (PDR) technician to deal with your dents and dings.
JM Dent Repair has qualified PDR technicians to get your car looking new again, and unlike other auto body shops, we specialize in paintless dent repair. Our service is quick, affordable, and of the highest quality. Contact us today to see how we can assist you with any car body damage you may have.