COMMON car maintenance problems can devalue your motor by up to £4,705.
That’s according to research by the car leasing comparison site moneyshake.com. And even if you’re not selling it on, that’s still a hefty bill for repairs.
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Fix these issues and use the site’s tips to keep your car on the road and holding its value.
AVOID A BUMPER BILL: If you have a patch of rust greater than 0.5cm on your bumper, it can devalue your car by 15 per cent on average. This is because rust isn’t just unsightly, it can also weaken the bumper which will eventually fall off if left unchecked. It’s hard to get rid of rust once it forms, so the tactic here should be prevention rather than cure.
Salt, gravel and other road residues all cause rust, so regularly clean bumpers with hot water to stop corrosion.
PUT THE PRESSURE ON: If you get your car valued while the tyre pressure warning light is on you could lose £640 on average, or seven per cent of your car’s value. Tyres lose around a pound of pressure a month, often more in cold weather, so watch for the warning light and inflate them regularly to avoid tyre failure and a costly bill.
DON’T HIT THE ROOF: Did you know that a scratch of more than 2.5cm on a roof panel can devalue the car by £474 on average? Avoid placing items on top of the car, from keys to roof racks, to prevent damage to paintwork. The Car Pride Paint Scratch Remover Pen is £1.95 at amazon.co.uk.
THE KEY TO SAVING: Car keys are pricey to replace, so not surprisingly missing keys take an average of £338 off your car’s value.
The fancier the key, the pricier it is to replace, so keep them safe to guard your resale value.
IT PAYS TO GO SPARE: While there’s no legal requirement to have a spare wheel, not having one could cost you up to £300 if selling on. You can get a used one on auction sites.
Want to lease a car? Then check moneyshake.com first.
- Prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals/offers subject to availability.
Deal of day
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Cheap treat
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What’s new
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Top swap
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Giselle’s little helper
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