What brings down the value of a car?

Asked by: Prof. Saul Kihn  |  Last update: December 27, 2025
Score: 5/5 (30 votes)

Several factors can affect the resale value of your car. These include mileage, age, condition, location, color, make and model. You can retain your car's value by regularly maintaining it and avoiding modifications that could decrease its appeal to buyers.

What decreases the value of a car?

Any kind of damage can affect a car's value, even small cosmetic dings and dents. It may be seen as a sign the car hasn't been cared for. Things like small dents or key scratches could be a turnoff for potential buyers. You might have to spend a little money on fixes to make money when selling.

What affects car value the most?

Many factors figure into the value of a used car, but mileage and condition are the most important. After that, options, location, and color are influencing factors.

What devalues your car?

Age: The older your vehicle is, the lower its value — with certain exceptions, such as classic car values. Mileage: Vehicles have a practical upper limit on the number of miles they can accumulate without major, expensive repairs. The more miles on a vehicle, the lower its value is likely to be.

Why is the value of my car going down?

Mileage and Mechanical Upkeep

Mileage matters. If your vehicle has more than 100,000 miles, that is a red flag for potential buyers. Even if your car has been dependable for over 200,000 miles with relatively few problems, resale value will take a huge hit.

Full restoration 50 year old Mercedes S650 Maybach super sports car

40 related questions found

At what mileage do cars lose value?

Above 100,000 Miles

As such, you can expect to have a hard time selling your car in this mileage bracket. Even if you manage to find a buyer, you probably won't get much from the sale.

Should I buy a car now or wait until 2024?

Ultimately, the best time to buy a car is when you need one. But if you can wait, you may be able to benefit from lower prices and interest rates in 2024. Just don't expect huge savings.

What increases the value of a car?

The condition of the car is, naturally, going to play a role in the car's resale value. Cars that have been well-maintained, regularly serviced and feature a clean vehicle history are likely to sell better than cars that are dingy, dirty and in obvious need of repairs.

What are the 5 factors that depreciate car value the most?

The primary factors contributing to a vehicle's depreciation are its make, model, age, mileage, and condition at the time of the trade. Maintenance and accident history also play a part in determining a used car's value.

What make of cars hold their value best?

Top 10 Best Resale Value Vehicles
  • Toyota Tundra. The vehicle with the highest predicted resale value is a full-size pickup truck! ...
  • GMC Sierra. ...
  • Toyota Tacoma. ...
  • Ford Maverick. ...
  • Chevrolet Corvette. ...
  • Toyota 4Runner. ...
  • Tesla Model X. ...
  • Ford F-Series.

What determines the worth of a car?

Several factors go into determining a vehicle's value. Some are logical, like age and mileage, but others, like wear-and-tear, appearance, and demand, are subjective.

Does car value drop after 100k miles?

90,000 to 100,000+ miles: When a car reaches the 100,000-mile mark, buyers can be far less willing to meet your asking price for it. Though cars don't automatically stop running well past 100,000 miles, many buyers will see any number over 100k and either try to get a better deal or write off buying the car entirely.

What changes the value of a car?

High mileage: Mileage affects value, cars with over 10,000 miles annually are considered high mileage. Values drop further after 70,000 miles and significantly past 100,000 miles. Poor condition: Scratches, dents, rust, and other cosmetic damage reduce a car's value.

What affects the resale value of a car the most?

Your car's overall condition—as well as how many miles are on its odometer—has a high influence over resale value. Regular service and maintenance (and going the extra mile to keep your vehicle in good shape) leads to a higher resale value. The features and options equipped on your vehicle also impact its resale value.

Do scratches affect trade-in value?

Car condition is one of the primary factors that determine your car's resale or trade-in value. Even with only a few scratches and dents on your car's exterior, your car can drop from an excellent rating to fair or poor.

What brings down car value?

Several factors can affect the resale value of your car. These include mileage, age, condition, location, color, make and model. You can retain your car's value by regularly maintaining it and avoiding modifications that could decrease its appeal to buyers.

How to increase a car's lifespan?

10 Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Pre-Owned Car
  1. Regular Maintenance. Keeping any car in good condition relies on regular maintenance. ...
  2. Opt for Quality Parts and Fluids. ...
  3. Maintain Cleanliness. ...
  4. Drive Responsibly. ...
  5. Tire Health Monitoring. ...
  6. Timely Issue Resolution. ...
  7. Fuel Choice. ...
  8. Proper Storage.

How much does mileage affect car value?

Price Drop in Used Cars Per Mile

For the first three thousand miles or so, cars usually drop about $5,000-$10,000, so it averages out to around $1.50 to $3 per mile. After that, the price drop is lower, and can go from around $. 25 to $. 5 per mile.

What is the best mileage to trade in a car?

The best mileage range to trade in a car is often between 30-40,000 miles or between two and three years old, before your new car warranties expire. You're more likely to receive a higher trade-in appraisal when it has fewer miles on it and more of its warranty left .

When not to trade in your car?

When Not to Trade In a Car. Although there are exceptions to this rule — as there are for most rules — don't trade in a car that is worth less than what you owe. In other words, if you get less when trading it in than the loan payoff, don't do it.

What modifications add value to a car?

6 Auto Mods To Increase Your Car's Value
  • Horse Power of The Engine. Increasing the horsepower of the engine is one of the most popular modifications. ...
  • New Paint Job. ...
  • Improved Suspension. ...
  • New Wheels and Tires. ...
  • Car Audio System. ...
  • Performance Upgrades.

What is the cheapest month to buy a car?

The Best Months: September, October, and December

This is an excellent time to find deals on cars that are still brand new but may not have the latest features. December: December is arguably the best month to buy a car.

Will a car last 10 years?

How long should you keep a car? A typical car is expected to last 200,000 miles or more, with electric or hybrid vehicles going up to 300,000 miles. If you drive the average number of miles for an American, a typical car should last you about 14 years and an electric car will last about 21 years.

Will cars be cheaper in 2025?

For slower-selling vehicles with higher supply, 2025 will likely bring lower prices. We're even seeing some lower MSRPS for 2025.