Features that improve resale value

When buying a new vehicle, our mindset is not on the future, but rather on the present. That is to be expected, given that the last thing we are bound to think about when purchasing on brand new car, truck or SUV, is selling it.

That said, the decisions you make today when looking at the options catalogue of your next vehicle will actually become very important down the road, primarily when it comes to resale value. Now, perhaps you are not planning on selling your vehicle before a very long time, or your vehicle is leased.

In the first case however, you should know that regardless of when you plan to sell your vehicle, the equipment found in said vehicle will have an impact on its resale value, as well as on how easy it is to sell that vehicle.

Let’s look at a few features that help improve resale value.

Transmission

Most cars today are only available with an automatic transmission. That’s because most buyers now prefer that type of gearbox. So, if you have the choice, you should know that if your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it will appeal to a larger audience. On the other hand, some cars are traditionally paired with a manual, and the most popular transmission for that car will be a do-it-yourself box. In that case, you should probably go with the manual. In essence, opt for the gearbox that is the most popular for that vehicle.

Color

Although some sporty vehicles are popular in bright colors, most buyers prefer white, silver, grey and black. So, when choosing your next vehicle, know that if you opt for a rare color or a flashy color like yellow, lime green or even a bright red, it may take longer to sell.

Equipment

Features like leather seats, a sunroof, a navigation system, heated seats, heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, active safety technologies and connectivity technologies make your vehicle even more appealing to buyers down the road.

Thank you to Georgetown Volkswagen for their help with this article.