A car is a huge investment. In fact, for many people, it’s the largest that they make throughout their entire lives. Unfortunately, unlike many other investments, a vehicle won’t hold it’s value over the years. Instead, it will begin to depreciate from the moment you drive it off the dealership’s lot. This means that, when the time comes to sell your car, you will lose a lot of money. That being said, there are ways to combat this. Here are five things that you can do to avoid car depreciation.

Follow The Maintenance Schedule

A well-maintained car will always sell for more than one that hasn’t been looked after. To get the best price for your vehicle, therefore, you have to follow the maintenance schedule. This is usually documented in the owner’s manual, but you can find advice online too. Following the timeline provided will keep your car in good condition, so it’s less likely to break down. There are many maintenance tasks that you can do yourself, but you’ll need expert help occasionally too.

Choose The Right Modifications

Most people tend to assume that all modifications add value to vehicles. However, that simply isn’t true. From larger wheels to sound systems, there are many additions that don’t carry their value. That’s not to say that no modifications combat depreciation though. High-performance intake systems and sports grilles are just a couple of Mugen jdm parts that can help you to add value. They also attract attention from certain drivers who are willing to pay more money.

Keep The Car Clean

When you leave your car dirty, it can cause faded carpets, permanent stains, and body corrosion, all of which will negatively impact the value of your vehicle. Showing a car dirty in viewings also makes it less attractive to prospective buyers, as it suggests that you haven’t taken care of it. For this reason, you must ensure that you clean your vehicle regularly. It also helps to take precautions, such as investing in seat covers and keeping the car in a garage.

Drive The Right Way

Cars that have been driven badly can usually be spotted during test drives. They don’t turn corners, break, or accelerate effectively, which can all put potential buyers off. Thankfully, driving the right way can prevent this. For this reason, you should avoid harsh braking and speeding. This will also reduce the likelihood of you getting into a car accident. Mileage is another factor buyers tend to consider, so you should also try to avoid any long journeys.

Buy A Used Vehicle

New vehicles depreciate much faster than used ones do. This means that shopping for a used car, rather than a brand new one can significantly reduce depreciation. However, this will only work if you choose the right vehicle. As a general rule, the older the car is, the more likely that it will have problems. This cancels out the benefit of slower depreciation. Sticking to vehicles around one year old, therefore, is often the best decision.

You will never avoid depreciation completely, but, with these tips, you can significantly reduce it.