Get more for your motor

As well as a poor service history, lack of MOT and high mileage, motorists may be surprised to learn everyday spills and stains, dog smells and cigarette burns could affect the value of their car.

New research by car insurance specialist, elephant.co.uk has revealed small steps such as taking time to thoroughly mop up spills, putting a blanket down for pets and making small repairs to the interior will help ensure motorists get maximum value when they come to sell their car.

elephant.co.uk talked to its network of approved repair garages to ask what they consider to be the things that can affect the value of a car. Smaller, less obvious faults like stained or ripped upholstery, cigarette burns and dog smells appeared in the list as well as the more obvious lack of MOT, poor service history or high mileage.

Elephant.co.uk asked the garages to rank the 12 things that could knock value off the sale price of a car. The list in order of importance, are:

1 Lack of MOT
2 High mileage
3 Poor service history
4 Poor old repairs
5 Unrepaired damage dents
6 Scratched or damaged panels
7 Ripped or damaged seats or trim
8 Faded or poor colour matched paint work
9 Cigarette burns
10 Soiled, stained or sticky interior
11 Dog smells
12 Cigarette smells

Managing director of elephant.co.uk, Brian Martin said “It’s certainly common knowledge that a poor service history or lack of MOT will affect the amount you can ask for your vehicle when you come to sell it but our research has shown how smaller details matter too.

“I would certainly advise motorists not to cut any corners when it comes to the looking after their cars. Even simple things like protecting your seats from pets or cleaning up spills can make a difference to the market value of your car.”

elephant.co.uk also asked the garages in their approved networks how they thought motorists could maximise the value of their car.  Keeping the vehicle interior clean and fresh, keeping the fuel tank full and even having a full set of mats and mud flaps will all add value to a vehicle.

The full list of things that could increase the value of a car are:

1 Low mileage
2 Full service history
3 Full year’s MOT
4 Low number of previous owners
-5 New or good condition tyres
-5 Two sets of keys
7 Full year’s tax
8 Valeted to high standards inside and out
9 Clean interior
10 Fresh and clean aroma inside the car
11 Full tank of fuel          
12 Full set of mats and mud flaps

Brian Martin continued, “When selling a home, most of us would make sure it was clean, tidy and in as good condition as possible, and the same goes if you’re selling your car. Whether that’s privately or part exchange, take a look at our lists and see if there’s anything you can do to maximise the price you get.”