{"id":24685,"date":"2021-10-04T15:58:39","date_gmt":"2021-10-04T07:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/?p=24685"},"modified":"2024-03-22T12:29:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:29:17","slug":"improve-car-market-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/item\/improve-car-market-value","title":{"rendered":"Thinking of Selling Your Car? Here Are 17.5 Things to Improve Your Car\u2019s Value"},"content":{"rendered":"

After cruising around with your car for a couple of years, it might be time to upgrade your ride or you just want to sell off your car for some cash.<\/p>\n

You may think your current vehicle has been kept in a good condition and you\u2019re hoping to get a decent amount from it to finance a new car. But this may not be the case.<\/p>\n

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Generally, the value of a new car depreciates nearly 20 percent after its first year. After a few years, you might end up with a car that has lost up to half of its original value. Before you sell your car, it\u2019s important to consider what can be done to increase your car\u2019s resale value. Here are 17.5 things that you can do to improve your car\u2019s resale value.<\/p>\n

1. Buy a Car with Good Resale Value<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Taking good care of your car\u2019s resale value begins even before you own a car. To guarantee a good resale value, you should buy a model or brand that retains its value.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to look for a reputable brand that is popular, reliable, has great features, as well as has easy access to service centers.<\/p>\n

Some models that are known to hold their resale value very well in Malaysia include the Perodua Myvi, Honda Civic, and Toyota Vios.<\/p>\n

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Read:<\/strong> Cars in Malaysia that hold the Highest Resale Value after 5 years<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Pick a Car with Proper Safety Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since owning a car is a lifelong investment, it\u2019s best to choose a car that comes with proper safety features. This will help you stay safe when driving while retaining the resale value of your car in the future!<\/p>\n

Imagine that in the future, the government requires all cars being sold to have anti-lock braking systems (ABS) or seat belts reminders equipped. The absence of such systems would cause the price of your car to drop significantly in the future.<\/p>\n

This also works to add appeal to your vehicle when the time comes to sell. For example, if your car is equipped with a reverse camera, parking sensors as well as a blind-spot warning system, it will attract a higher price compared to other cars without these systems.<\/p>\n

Some must-have safety systems include Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) to name a few.<\/p>\n

Read:<\/strong> Modern Safety Features You Should Have in Your New Car<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Opt for a Longer Warranty<\/strong><\/h2>\n

People hardly think about the warranty when it comes to selling a used car but it\u2019s actually an important bargaining chip.<\/p>\n

If you can extend the warranty of your current car, it\u2019s a great idea to take up the offer, especially if it is guaranteed to cover major components such as the engine and transmission.<\/p>\n

The extension will provide you and the future owner of your vehicle peace of mind when it comes to unexpected breakdowns.<\/p>\n

4. Go for Plain Colors<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Is your car covered in funky colors and striking graphics? While you might consider your car as a unique piece of art, not everyone will share the same idea as you. After all, art is subjective.<\/p>\n

Vehicles in bright colors like red, purple, or yellow usually have a lower resale value since these colors tend to be quite difficult to take care of. Under Malaysia\u2019s hot and humid weather, it won\u2019t take long for the colors to fade.<\/p>\n

Vehicles in basic colors such as white, black, and silver are known to hold their resale value well since they\u2019re easy to maintain and clean. Plus, they hide scratches well too.<\/p>\n

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5. Drive Safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the best ways to maintain the resale value of your car is to drive it carefully and efficiently. Aggressive driving puts a lot of stress on your car, which in turn speeds up the wear and tear of the car\u2019s components.<\/p>\n

Proper driving habits keep the car in good working condition. This can also reduce the amount of maintenance on components like the brakes and tires in the long run.<\/p>\n

On top of that, safe driving helps to prevent an accident from happening. A major accident will drastically reduce the value of your car, especially frame damage is involved.<\/p>\n

This will make it even more difficult to sell your car in the future since it will show up in your vehicle history report.<\/p>\n

6. Keep the Mileage Low<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another important factor that helps maintain your car\u2019s value is low mileage. A high mileage indicates a car has been through a lot of wear and tear.<\/p>\n

Even in mint condition, once your car\u2019s mileage exceeds 100,000 kilometers, the resale value will drop considerably. If you\u2019re thinking about selling your vehicle, it\u2019s best to do it around the 80,000 to 90,000 kilometer mark.<\/p>\n

An average Malaysian driver covers 28,188 kilometers in a year. Next time when a long-distance trip comes to mind, you might want to reconsider driving your car to avoid any unnecessary mileage as well as wear and tear.<\/p>\n

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7. Regular Maintenance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The next best way to preserve the resale value of your car is by getting under the hood regularly. Also, it\u2019s one of the easiest things to do on this list.<\/p>\n

All you need to do is follow the manufacturer\u2019s scheduled maintenance and ensure that it is done at authorized service centers.<\/p>\n

Taking proper care of your car will help avoid unnecessary repairs and save you money in the long run. Moreover, buyers are more than willing to offer extra money for a car with a well-maintained history.<\/p>\n

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8. Park Properly<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Malaysia\u2019s weather is hot, humid, and unpredictable. The same can be said about Malaysian parking lots as well. When it comes to parking, you have to watch where you park and what you park next to.<\/p>\n

Try to park under the shade to protect the paint from fading under the sun. But stay away from trees since you can end up with leaves and bird droppings on your car.<\/p>\n

Try to park in a lot with a good amount of space for your car. Also, try to stay away from parking next to big or bulky vehicles since these can result in scratches and bumps on your car.<\/p>\n

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9. Modify Moderately<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Modifying your car with aftermarket parts seems fun, but only if you can find a buyer that appreciates your work.<\/p>\n

Giant rims, turbo kits, or high-end stereos may lower the resale value of your car in the future, especially if these parts cause problems with the car.<\/p>\n

If you really want to spruce up your car, try accessories that add value and are useful in the long run such as a modern infotainment system, proper window tints, or leather seats.<\/p>\n

Adding too many customizations will cause future buyers to look the other way so try to keep it as close to stock as possible.<\/p>\n

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10. Keep the Exterior Squeaky Clean, Always<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A clean-looking car is a valuable car. If you\u2019re going to sell your car, potential buyers will judge the exterior first and whatever price they offer will be based on how clean the exterior looks.<\/p>\n

A proper wash once every month will do wonders for your car in the long run. If you can afford to pay for some extra care, apply a coating like ceramic nano coating on your car too.<\/p>\n

Regular washing and coating will help to preserve the color of your car, remove blemishes, and prevent fading as well.<\/p>\n

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11. Keep the Interior Clean Too<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Aside from the exterior, it\u2019s just as important to keep the interior of your car clean. A well-kept interior will appeal to buyers more.<\/p>\n

Bad odors can stick to the car interior like invisible glue. Habits like smoking and carrying pungent food in the car can lead to hard-to-remove, stubborn odors.<\/p>\n

Stains and crumbs are also a major deal-breaker for car buyers too. Eating in the car is never a good idea, usually resulting in messy stains and worse, roach or ant infestation.<\/p>\n

Regularly vacuuming the interior will help keep everything clean, while using proper cleaners will maintain the look of interior plastics as well as leather. Investing in air fresheners will also do wonders for your car.<\/p>\n

Read:\u00a0<\/strong>Tips on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Car\u2019s Cabin<\/a><\/p>\n

12. Check Those Warning Lights<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If there is any particular symbol that lights up on your car\u2019s dashboard, you should check them immediately since it indicates an issue with your car.<\/p>\n

Ignoring warning lights can lead to more problems in the future and this gives future buyers an opportunity to decrease their offer to purchase the car.<\/p>\n

A simple trip to the service center can solve the underlying issue highlighted by the warning light.<\/p>\n

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Read:\u00a0<\/strong>A Guide to Car Warning Lights and Indicators<\/a><\/p>\n

13. Replace Damaged Components<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you discover any damaged components on your car, it\u2019s best to replace them no matter how minor. They could be the reason you end up with a price that is lower.<\/p>\n

It could be a faulty power window, dim headlights, a cracked rim, a knob that doesn\u2019t turn, or maybe even a missing nut on the wheels. Dealing with these issues when they occur could help you save money from a major repair and improve the car\u2019s resale value.<\/p>\n

14. Take Care of the Rims & Tires<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tires and rims are critical items that should be paid attention to since car buyers will pay a lot of attention to them. If they look old and worn-out, it gives the impression that the car is not properly maintained and has been through heavy usage.<\/p>\n

Be sure to clean and shine them properly so they look like new before you decide to sell your car. If there\u2019s any damage, it\u2019s best to replace them.<\/p>\n

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Read:\u00a0<\/strong>What You Need to Know about Car Tires<\/a><\/p>\n

15. Fix All Dents & Scratches<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After years of driving your car around, you will inevitably accumulate dents and scratches all over the car. Dents and scratches, no matter how small, will make your car seem unappealing to buyers.<\/p>\n

If left alone, these small flaws could lead to major damage like rust. You can easily avoid putting off potential buyers by sending your car to an auto body shop to fix the unsightly dents and buff out scratches.<\/p>\n

16. Send Your Car for Detailing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before meeting your potential buyer, it\u2019s best to send your car for proper detailing. Buyers will be more attracted to a car that looks clean and showroom shiny.<\/p>\n

On top of that, when the car looks its best, it also tells the buyer that your car has been properly maintained. This will give them more confidence in their decision to purchase the car.<\/p>\n

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17. Prepare Proper Documentations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A proper business deal can only happen with the proper documentation. These papers will help convince your potential buyer that the car is legally owned by you and all the maintenance it went through did indeed happen.<\/p>\n

Keeping an organized file containing the registration papers, vehicle grant, ownership history, service invoices, service logbook, etc. can be used as a bargaining chip.<\/p>\n

Read:\u00a0<\/strong>Lost Your Grant? Here are 3 Ways You Can Replace It<\/a><\/p>\n

17.5. Sell to CARSOME with a Fast 175-Point Inspection<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Now, are you ready to sell your car? Well, CARSOME has introduced a new way of selling used cars, which essentially makes it much easier to get a proper valuation for your car. Here\u2019s how it works.<\/p>\n

How to Sell Your Car With CARSOME<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Selling your used car<\/a> through CARSOME is extremely convenient and you can also expect to get a higher resale value (especially if you opt for live bidding) compared to selling your car the traditional way. You just have to go through these easy steps and we will take care of the rest for you.<\/p>\n