Selling your car? First impressions matter. A shiny body and clean interior can certainly catch a buyer’s eye – but what really seals the deal is proof that your car has quality where it counts, and has been well cared for. That’s where regular car servicing comes in; because not only does it keep your car running smoothly, it also maintains (and even boosts) its resale value.
REGULAR SERVICING DEMONSTRATES VALUE AND TRUST
Let’s start with the basics: why does regular servicing matter so much when it comes to resale value? The answer is simply trust.
When a buyer sees a full service history, they know they’re getting a car that’s been looked after. A complete service history is like a medical record for your car. It shows potential buyers that the vehicle has been regularly checked, maintained, and repaired as needed.
A full service history can significantly increase a buyer’s confidence in your car’s condition. Even a partial service history is better than nothing, but full histories are pretty much expected at the upper pricing bracket.
Buying a used car can feel like a gamble – especially private sales, sold as seen, if there’s no evidence of maintenance. A full service history reassures buyers that the car is unlikely to fall to bits as they drive it off, making them more willing to pay in the first place, and usually at a higher price than a car with no documentation at all.
Regular servicing also helps prevent major mechanical problems by catching issues early. This means your car is more likely to be in good working order when it’s time to sell, which means a higher resale value and less investment for you to get it running properly.
Last but not least – a service history that confirms the car’s mileage adds an extra level of credibility.
WHAT BUYERS LOOK FOR
- FULL SERVICE HISTORY
A full service history is probably the most important thing buyers look for. Ideally, your service history should include:
- Garage receipts and notes
- Service book stamps
- Digital service records
- MOT certificates
READ MORE ABOUT SERVICE HISTORY HERE
- UP-TO-DATE MAINTENANCE
Buyers want to see that the car has been serviced at the right intervals – not just MOT’d every year. Missing or delayed services can raise red flags, and reduce your car’s value.
- EVIDENCE OF REPAIRS
If any major repairs have been carried out (like replacing the cambelt or fixing a suspension issue) make sure these are fully documented. Buyers appreciate transparency and will feel more confident knowing that significant problems have been sorted.
- CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION
The overall condition of the car also matters. A well-maintained interior and exterior suggest that you’ve taken some pride in your car, which will definitely improve the buyer’s perception and help you charge a premium. If regular servicing is the icing on the cake, a clean, tidy, dent-free look is the cherry on top.
- LOW MILEAGE
Mileage isn’t the only factor – and with cars lasting so much longer than they used to, it’s probably less important than ever. But it’s still an important consideration for buyers. A car with lower mileage looks like a better deal on paper than a high-mileage vehicle, but throw in gaps in its maintenance record, and mileage is no longer the elephant in the room.
HOW REGULAR SERVICING BOOSTS VEHICLE RESALE VALUE
Regular servicing helps identify and fix small problems before they become big, expensive ones – like replacing worn brake pads. Spotting and sorting this during a service is far cheaper than dealing with damaged discs later.
Proactive care is reflected in its resale value, and cuts the overall costs sunk into the car over its time with you.
A well-serviced car also runs more efficiently – with better fuel economy and smoother performance. Buyers are willing to pay more for a car that feels good to drive, and won’t cost the earth to run.
And if your car is still under warranty, regular servicing is often a requirement to keep the warranty valid – and a car with an active warranty is way more attractive to buyers. Most warranties are transferable to new owners (check your specific manufacturer’s wording on this), and offer added protection against unexpected repair costs.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR’S RESALE VALUE
If you’re planning to sell your car in the future, here are some practical tips to help you maintain its resale value with regular servicing:
Follow the manufacturer’s schedule
Stick to the servicing intervals recommended by the manufacturer – most manufacturers recommend having a full car service once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. But this depends on how you drive, and whether you notice any issues beforehand.
Keep all records
Hold onto every service receipt, invoice, and report – these documents provide proof of maintenance and repairs, which can be a major selling point.
Address issues right away
If your car develops a problem, don’t wait to get it fixed. Ignoring issues can lead to getting stranded, causing accidents – or at a minimum, more serious damage which will ultimately reduce the car’s value.
Consider a pre-sale service
Before putting your car on the market, consider having it serviced. This gives you a fresh service stamp to show potential buyers, and gets your car a final check for problems.
BOOK A CAR SERVICE WITH MASTER TECH AUTOS
Could your car be worth more? Get a pre-sale service, or book in for your regular check.
Call 023 8061 1161 or contact us to book your car service.