How to Increase the Resale Value of Your Car
FixMyCar shares eight practical ways to keep your vehicle’s value higher for longer and attract more buyers.
Ellie Dyer-Brown
Tuesday September 09 2025
7 min read
When it’s time to sell your car, the price tag usually feels like a bit of a shock – it’s almost always worth much less than what you paid. But does it really have to drop in value so fast? Not necessarily. There are plenty of simple ways to slow depreciation, and in this guide, we’ll share the best ones to help you hang on to more of your car’s value.
In a nutshell: Cars lose value over time, but you can slow depreciation by looking after them properly. Regular servicing and repairs, keeping mileage and damage to a minimum, avoiding irreversible modifications, and holding on to receipts and documents can all help your car retain more of its resale value.
What is car depreciation?
Depreciation is the difference between the value of your car when you bought it and when you sell it.
Why do cars lose value over time?
The moment you drive a brand-new car away from a dealership, it begins to lose value (depreciate). The rate of depreciation can be influenced by a combination of factors. Some will slow it; others will speed it up.
Age and mileage: Older cars that have covered more miles are worth less due to wear and tear.
Changing market demands: The desirability of a particular car can change over time.
Technology: The introduction of more advanced technology to newer models makes older versions less desirable.
Costs of ownership: Cars that are more economical to run are often more popular, allowing them to retain their value for longer.
Brand reputation: The quality and reliability of a particular car maker will influence the rate of depreciation.
Maintenance: A well-maintained vehicle with a full service history will hold its value much better than a car that hasn’t been looked after.
Model year and features: Variation between model years and features can significantly impact resale value.
How much does a car depreciate each year?
The table below shows estimated depreciation ranges, with the most significant drop in value coming in the first year.
| Year | % Depreciation Range | % Value Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 15-35% | 65-85% |
| Year 3 | 40-60% | 40-60% |
| Year 5 | 60-70% | 30-40% |
| Year 8-10 | -80% | -20% |
How to calculate car depreciation
Use the following calculation to determine depreciation:
Find the original price of your vehicle.
Find the resale value.
Subtract the current value from the original price to get the depreciation amount.
To view depreciation as a percentage, divide the depreciation amount by the original price and multiply the result by 100.
What is the resale value of my car?
The best way to determine the resale value of your car is to use a free online valuation tool like the ones below:
How to increase the resale value of your car
There are steps you can take in both the long and short term to improve your car’s resale value.
1. Routine servicing
One of the key things a potential buyer will look for is a full service history, as it’s a sign that a vehicle has been well-maintained.
Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended servicing intervals and obtain proof of service each time, whether that’s a stamp in your service book or a copy of the receipt.
Helpful guides:
2. Timely repairs
Addressing small issues promptly prevents them from escalating into larger, more expensive problems, and it also makes it easier to pass your MOT. A car with a strong track record of passing first time is always more appealing to buyers than one that’s failed multiple times.
Helpful guides:
3. Avoid modifications
Modifications allow you to tweak the look and feel of your car, but they can also decrease its value in the long run. Numerous modifications suggest that a vehicle has been driven hard, leading to more wear and tear, and while this isn’t always the case, potential buyers likely won’t want to take the risk.
If you still want to proceed with modifications, you should ideally make sure they’re reversible.
4. Keep receipts from repairs
Receipts from past repairs can be used to illustrate how a car has been looked after, much like evidence of a full service history. It's best to keep hold of all documentation relating to work that has been done on your car, even if the repair was minor or you think it won’t be of interest to potential buyers.
5. Keep it clean
Cleaning your car isn’t just about making it look good on the day of the sale – if done regularly, it can also help keep the bodywork in good condition for longer. When dirt and grit build up on the paintwork, especially on older cars, it can lead to rust, which will significantly decrease your car’s resale value. Bird droppings should be removed swiftly for similar reasons.
Helpful guides:
6. Minimise mileage
If securing a good resale value is your priority, consider limiting the number of miles you drive. Cars with higher mileage will always be worth less than ones with relatively few miles on the clock.
One way to do this is to use public transport for shorter journeys or even walk if the distance is small enough.
7. Repair scrapes, scratches and bumps
Nobody wants to buy a car that looks like it’s been in a few too many scrapes. The first thing most potential buyers will think when they see damage, especially dealers, is how much it’ll cost to fix, and they will deduct this from the amount they’d have been willing to pay.
If you complete the repairs before selling, you’ll be able to shop around for the best offer and sell the repaired vehicle for a higher amount.
Helpful guides:
8. Keep hold of important documents and accessories
Buyers expect everything that originally came with the car, from the paperwork to the accessories. The most important item is the V5C logbook. Technically, you can sell a car without it, but the DVLA strongly advises against buying one in that situation, as missing documents can be a red flag for theft.
Frequently asked questions
Cars lose the most value in the first year after purchase. After three years, the rate of depreciation begins to slow.
Depreciation affects car finance, especially PCP deals, because your monthly payments and end-of-contract options are based on the car’s expected value. Faster depreciation can leave you owing more than the car is worth or reduce the equity you can use toward your next vehicle.
Yes – neutral colours like black, white, grey and silver usually hold value better than niche shades.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.