Maintaining your car in good condition is crucial to ensuring its value. However, you can do a few things that will decrease the car’s overall value and cause it to lose money sooner or break down quicker. While some of these things might seem like small inconveniences, they can significantly impact your vehicle’s value.

Here are the five things that will decrease the value of your car.

1. Doing Aftermarket Modifications

Many people looking to buy a used car don’t like aftermarket modifications like tinted windows. The added modifications can devalue your car by a few thousand dollars and make it virtually unsellable if your buyer wants a car in mint condition. You may see the nitrous oxide or turbocharging modifications as a nice thing to add to your car, but these changes can significantly decrease the value.

Sometimes a car modification can be a waste of money, like an alarm system that doesn’t work flawlessly or replacement speakers that don’t sound any better than the originals. If you decide to add a car stereo, for instance, make sure that it sounds great and fits your car before you chop out the old system. This way, you’ll know for sure whether or not it’s worth it in the long run.

Before making any changes or modifications, talk with a mechanic and research what is right for your car. Some modifications might be worth it in the long run if you know that you’ll keep your car for years.

2. Painting Your Car an Unusual Color

Some car owners paint their cars in a hue that doesn’t match the original color. This can make it difficult for people to want to buy your car. Each manufacturer has its ideal color pallet, and people often choose from similar vehicles.

In addition, if the car is advertised online, the original color can make it more likely that you’ll get a click. Most people will choose the listing that is closest to their favorite car. If yours is different, then you’ll lose out on potential buyers.

If you have to paint your car, stick to the original color. Otherwise, a potential buyer might see your car and pass. Unless you’re willing to go through the hassle of repainting it, your best bet is to leave it be.

3. Having Too Many Miles

If you are hoping to sell your car at the best market price, you will want to consider your driving mileage.

The more miles on your car, the less valuable it becomes. Even if your car looks spotless with no accident history, it might still lose value because it has many miles.

While most dealers will use a car value calculator to determine how much your vehicle is worth, they tend to look down upon high-mileage cars. Most car owners will generally stick to their cars for around six years before selling.

4. Skipping Maintenance

Maintaining your car is essential in keeping it driving well and maintaining a good resale value. Most people think they’ll only have to do basic maintenance every once in a while, but this is not always true.

For instance, not changing the oil often enough can reduce a car’s gas mileage and make it less valuable. Regular oil changes are essential to keeping your car running right, so check your owner’s manual or call a mechanic to find out what type of service your car needs.

Remember that you can also perform some basic maintenance if you know what you’re doing, saving you money over time. Also, keep in mind that some problems with your car can be very expensive to fix. If something goes wrong, get it taken care of immediately to avoid wasting money on an unsellable vehicle later on.

5. Having Mismatched Tires

Over time, tires lose their ability to handle driving pressures properly. This is why some tires will start to show irregular wear patterns or even begin to crack and break down. If you have mismatched tires, you will have to replace them sooner than normal.

While some people might replace the old tires with matching ones, doing so will not increase your chance of getting a good price for your car. Be sure to take care of your tires to help ensure that they last longer.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a few things you can do to decrease the value of your car. Although these changes may seem minor, they can make selling your car difficult or finding someone who will buy it challenging.