Enhancing car resale value

AUTOMOTIVE

Preserving or enhancing the resale value of your car may not be the first thing on your mind when you are driving your car out of the showroom, but rest assured it pays to think thus.

With car makers and financiers loading up dollies for new car buyers, it's not exactly a seller's market for used cars. So it's imperative that you keep working to get the best value for your car whenever you plan to sell it.

How does one do that? Here are a few tips:
Accessorise intelligently: Before you load up your chariot with the choicest accessories, you might want to take a look what these can fetch you in the resale market.

A 2-3 year old music system with the works (amplifiers, woofers, sub-woofers, tweeters etc) get you 50-60 per cent of the original value on resale.

So if you have spend a lakh on the sound system you can still walk away with Rs 50,000. Ditto for LCD screens and DVD players, but be warned, this is applicable only to the premium brands "" Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Blaupunkt etc.

Other trinkets such as alloy or steel wheel caps, leather upholstery etc are not too hot on value.

"Since car makers offer accessories like air conditioners, music system, leather upholstery etc as original equipment, even buyers of used cars expect the same. Such accessories do not add greatly to the resale value," Satyendra Bhosale of AutomartIndia, which is into used cars.

Keep the engine in good shape: Don't fault on the car's service schedule. Even after the free service period has lapsed get the car serviced every 15,000, 30,000, 45,000 and 60,000 km. Get the engine oil changed every three months.

Maintain that spanking new look inside: Cigarette burns and curry stains will not go down well with any car buyer so it is important to keep the interiors spotless and clean-smelling.

A periodical car detailing job will help but if you don't want to go to such lengths just use the vacuum cleaner every week or so. Seat covers should be repaired immediately as and when rips and tears appear. Consider using an air freshener.

Take care of the outwardly appearance: Looks could kill and if you don't keep your car looking good it can kill your chances of getting the best resale value for it. Dents and scrapes must be fixed right down to the matching paint and preferably at an authorised service center.

If your car is a colour that fades, you might want to touch up that paint job too. New tyres are about as impressive as new patent leather shoes that make all the difference at a job interview.

Be kind to your car: This one is easy and goes a long way in keeping your car in prime running condition for a very long time. A gentleman driver does not treat his car like a beaten-up truck and avoids slamming doors, driving too fast or braking too hard.

Stay informed: Keep records of all repair and service done on the car and preserve all bills and receipts. Tap dealers and stay informed about what your car is worth at every stage. Nobody respects an overly optimistic owner who expects Rs 4 lakh for a Rs 2 lakh.