How to increase the value of your car

Whether you're looking to sell your car to help combat the rising cost of living, or perhaps you're doing your bit for the environment and have found that going car-free is easier than you thought, you'll want to ensure you get the best possible price for your car.

How is a price determined?

The value of your car is determined by a number of factors, including the popularity of the make and model, vehicle specs, appearance and condition, as well as mileage and maintenance records.

Where and how you sell your car can also impact the value. Typically, you can get more money selling the car directly to the buyer, instead of selling to a dealership or using an online site. However, your pool of potential buyers may be much smaller if you sell directly, and it could take longer to sell your car.

Steps for increasing the value

For a lot of makes and models, more than 70% of the car's initial value can be wiped off within the first three years. If you're looking to reduce that loss and increase the value, there are a few things you can do.

Check the body

If the exterior of the car looks good, you're more likely to increase the value. Dings in car doors, bumper scratches, and cracked mirrors can suggest the car hasn't been well cared for. And if the exterior doesn’t look good, people might question the condition of the mechanics.

If you don't want to spend a fortune repairing a car you're selling, you should at least clean and wax the exterior.

Make sure you have a recent MOT and service

Before selling your car, book it in for a car MOT and service. Alongside your service logbook, you should also keep the receipts for every time you've changed the oil, checked the fluids, and changed or replaced the brakes or tyres.

Showing that your car is well maintained and road legal will help with getting the best price.

Keep it clean

Whilst the car's exterior is the first thing prospective buyers will see, it's the car's interior where they'll be spending the majority of their time. Get the seats and seatbelts professionally cleaned, replace the floormats, remove rubbish and clutter, and for a final touch add an air freshener in a popular scent.

To help keep your car's interior looking in tip-top condition, avoid eating and drinking inside and try and change out of muddy shoes before getting in.