145th & Industrial 402-334-7100
109th & Maple Street 402-933-9600
41st & Leavenworth Street 402-551-6000
Lake Manawa 712-256-8100
4645 S 84th Street 402-609-4009
14800 Davenport Street 402-255-3403
The value of all cars depreciates – that’s a fact of life. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep the value of your car from plummeting.
If you let your kids throw crumbs around the backseat with reckless abandon or make a habit of driving your car while sweaty after a workout, it will make your car’s interior unattractive to potential buyers.
Nobody wants to buy a smelly car.
Each vehicle has a suggested maintenance schedule that should be followed for best results. Following the schedule ensures your warranty is still valid and your car runs smoothly.
If you sell your vehicle to another buyer (rather than to a dealership) your ability to show a clean maintenance schedule might yield a higher selling price because the buyer can be more confident the car was treated well.
Even just a few dents or scratches on the exterior of your car can make it look older and more used than it is. Remember, people who purchase a vehicle want it to feel as “new” as possible, even if it’s not.
Experts from Car Talk suggest you repair small dents and dings before you sell. That’s particularly important when you sell to an individual as opposed to trading the car in.
The average person drives 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year, the Federal Highway Administration says. While it’s not always possible to keep mileage low, it’s a good idea to rent a car when you take long car trips and avoid unnecessary trips in your car.
Adding after-market accessories to increase your car’s value may actually have the opposite effect. Buyers often don’t trust after-market accessories or consider them unnecessary personalization by the previous owner.
In general, you won’t make your money back when you “invest” in after-market accessories.
J.D. Power says selling your vehicle to a private buyer will typically yield more money than if you trade it into a dealership unless your car is in sad shape.
At Great Plains Auto Body shop Omaha and Council Bluffs, we’re committed to giving you an unmatched level of service. As a company that’s been family-owned and operated for more than 26 years, we’re dedicated to treating our customers as we would treat members of our own family. We’ll keep you informed throughout the entire repair process and make sure you’re satisfied when the job is complete. From estimating and detailing to collision repair and paint services, our ASE-certified mechanics and technicians make sure the job is done right and on time.