Car owners prepared to make upgrades
With second hand car values soaring motorists have worked out that there’s rarely been a better time to make improvements to their car. That’s according to recent research from Kwik-Fit.
Indeed, used car values have appreciated on average by £1,278 (27%), year on year. And Kwik-Fit’s survey shows some 6.4 million motorists are using their car’s rising equity as a reason to make improvements over the next 12 months.
David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit, commented: “Whereas money once spent on used cars might have been viewed as ‘dead money’, second hand car owners are increasingly more prepared to spend money to keep their car in good condition as they are more likely to get what they shell out back when they sell it.”
He continued: “Simple steps like regular servicing, recharging the air con as well fitting new alloys and a better exhaust can totally alter a car’s performance and comfort and increase its sale price too.”
Kwik-Fit’s research has revealed the top five options chosen by motorists in order to make their cars look and feel like new and increase their value:
Regular servicing: It sounds obvious, but the most popular upgrade – cited by 89% of upgraders – was simply to get their car regularly serviced. And they’re right. Getting your car serviced regularly will improve its performance significantly. Indeed rolling road tests pre and post service can often show a dramatic increase in BHP achieved by a car. Kwik-Fit servicing starts from as little as £79 if booked online at kwik-fit.com.
Fit alloy wheels: The second most popular option – and planned by 17% of upgraders – is to fit new alloy wheels. This will instantly give your vehicle that new car look and may make your car easier to sell and increase the residual value of your car – which in turn could offset the cost of buying alloy wheels. Kwik-Fit offers a range of alloy wheels at kwik-fit.com.
Recharge your air conditioning system – some 16% of upgraders say they will restore the internal comfort of their car by having their air conditioning unit recharged. Many people may not realise that, in order to work efficiently, air-cons should be recharged every two years. As well as enabling those inside the car to stay cool, calm and collected, a fully charged air con also burns less fuel – enabling motorists to save at the pump and reduce carbon emissions too. Kwik-Fit’s money back guaranteed air conditioning recharge service costs only £45.
Fit a SatNav – 15% of upgraders recognise that fitting a portable SatNav to their car will not only add a bit of new car panache to their dash, but also make sure they never get lost again. Kwik-Fit now offers a range of portable SatNav both in centre and on online at kwik-fit.com.
Fit a high performance exhaust – people looking to upgrade their car’s performance usually opt for a performance exhaust. And that’s where 8% of upgraders plan to start. These improve the air flow through your engines cylinder head, allowing the spent combustion gases to clear the outlet chamber faster. With a wider exit port releasing the spent gases, the increase in engine efficiency increases the BHP output giving your car a performance boost you can often feel at the accelerator pedal. Kwik-Fit supply and fit high performance Janspeed exhaust systems, see kwik-fit.com for more details.