Car Depreciation – Tips for making your vehicle last longer

Car depreciation is inevitable. The difference between the price you pay for your vehicle and the price you would get if you decided to sell it, car depreciation is the rate your car’s value decreases over time. You can use a car depreciation calculator to check how well your vehicle is keeping its value, however we have compiled our top tips for making your car last longer and ways to improve your car depreciation rate.

Keep your car clean

Grit can get into moving parts leading to quicker wear and tear and other things such as bird mess and road salt can cause real problems with paintwork. Keeping your car clean isn’t just about it looking good. It’s also important to keep the interior clean and tidy such as removing an dirt or crumbs from floor mats and using a protective spray on the dashboard plastics to keep it clean but also prevent any cracks or fading.

Don’t Run Low on Fuel

Maybe easier to say than do in Autumn 2021, but when you run low on petrol or diesel your fuel pump will draw on air, debris and sediment found in the bottom of your fuel tank. These unwanted materials can clog the system and eventually corrode your pump and filters, potentially preventing your car from starting. Keeping fuel levels high can avoid expensive repair bills in the future.

Listen to your dashboard warning lights

Ignoring your warning lights is an easy thing to slip up on especially when there doesn’t appear to be any problems with the performance of your vehicle when they illuminate. Leaving problems unchecked could equal an early end for your vehicle. Not sure what your dashboard warning lights mean? Take a look at our guide.

Regularly service your vehicle

Having your vehicle serviced regularly will keep it in top condition and prolong its life and value. Having a full service history will also make the vehicle seem much more desirable when it comes to selling.

Do Routine Checks

We recommend checking these as regularly as possible, perhaps every two weeks:

• fuel
• oil
• tyres
• wiper blades
• coolant
• electrics
• screen wash
• engine air filter
• spark plug (petrol engines only)
• brakes
• air conditioning
• interiors
• exteriors

If you would like to book your vehicle in for a service or check up, please contact us to arrange a booking.