How to get the best car resale value when you sell

How to get the best car resale value when you sell

For those of us who love our cars, the temptation to customise can be strong. Whether it’s repainting for a new look, adding a sound system, changing the wheels or something else, there are many ways to make a car truly ‘ours’. But before you do, there’s something important you should consider: the car’s resale value. Because when it comes to selling a car, there are a number of precautions you should take to ensure you get the best possible price. In this article, we’ll set out some simple ways you can preserve and maximise car resale value.

Ways to maximise car resale value

1. Keep it basic

Individuality is great while you’re the car’s owner – but not so great when you’re selling it to someone else. When it comes to selling a car, the more standard it is, the better. Many of us find ourselves wanting to sell our current ride in favour of an upgrade every four or five years. This buying and selling cycle makes protecting and enhancing car resale value extremely important. And the most important component of that is choosing a car that lots of people already want to buy, and keeping it close to the way you bought it so they’ll be able to when you’re ready to sell. Keep this in mind while you’re considering uncommon colours, upgrades and modifications, and importantly, when you’re choosing between manufacturers. Cars from mainstream manufacturers like Toyota, Mazda, Holden, Mitsubishi and Nissan fetch better resale values across the board because people know and trust them. And if you compare car prices on online car sales platforms or at dealerships, a standard car will fetch around the same price as the same model of car with all your bells and whistles. So, go for the white Toyota Corolla and keep it mainstream!

2. Go for an automatic

Only about 9% of cars sold in Australia are manual, so if you’d rather sell to the 91% of the population that drives automatic, consider becoming one of them! Automatic cars consistently outsell manual ones, and it’s been that way for at least 20 years. It’s no surprise then that auto cars are easier to sell. Today, there are simply less people wanting or able to drive manual cars because it’s become unnecessary for most people. So, when you buy your car, choose an auto in the first place and gain access to a far bigger pool of potential buyers.

3. Protect the interior

Investing a few hundred dollars in car mats now could save you at least twice as much when it comes to car resale value. Mats stop dirt, pet hair, food, liquids and general wear and tear from dirtying and damaging the actual interior of your car. When they get ratty, simply replace them, and your car’s interior will stay as fresh as new. If you travel with pets, get a protective covering for the seats or boot, too.

4. Stick to your servicing schedule

The other time-honoured way to maximise car resale value is to get it serviced regularly. This ensures it’s reliable and well-maintained, and ultimately very appealing to potential buyers.

If you’d like to get your car serviced, we’re here to help – no bookings are required, so stop in at your local Express Lube anytime.