Buying your first car is an amazing feeling, you suddenly have a new lease of life and the freedom to travel wherever you like but it’s no secret that owning a car can be rather expensive, especially for young, new drivers. Insurance, tax and car maintenance are just some of the factors you need to consider when buying a car because the last thing you want is to find yourself strapped for cash over your new vehicle.

It’s very rare that you’ll make a profit on any car you buy. I

t’s been said that a car loses 10% of its value as soon as you drive it off the forecourt and as the miles on the clock increase, the price will slowly start to decrease. In order to try and maintain as much value as possible there are a few checks and services you should carry out on a regular basis to keep your car in good health.

MOT & Service

There are no ifs or but’s when it comes to putting your car through its annual MOT it has to be done, unless it’s under 3 years of age. During an MOT your vehicle will be inspected to make sure it’s roadworthy and to detect any possible problems that may arise. Reputable companies up and down the country such as Kwik Fit, employ fully trained inspectors who can carry out an MOT on your vehicle. It’s best to do some research and see which garage and price is best for you.

Any car should be serviced once a year as it helps maintain the condition of the vehicle and helps reduce the risk of a breakdown. If you’re worried about paying for a service then a number of companies offer a service plan where you can pay monthly and in some cases it works out cheaper. By marinating a full service history on your car it means that future buyers know the car is in good condition and you can consider that when naming your price.

Wear & tear

For a large number of us our car is our pride and joy and as much as we try and maintain a perfect appearance it’s inevitable that it will see the odd scratch and bit of wear and tear. When buying a new car you may want to consider having the body sprayed with an exterior protection, as this can help maintain the colour and prevent the car from ageing. Although it may not have been your fault, if you discover any damage to the exterior of your car then it’s worth having it repaired so any future buyers can ask to reduce the price because of the damage.

It’s an almost impossible task to keep your car in perfect condition but hopefully the points mentioned will help to maintain good health and appearance for your vehicle. By following the above steps and considering other similar factors, you will be able to ask for a generous price when it comes to selling the car.