Focus on the outside – good looks come from good care

Whether you’re selling or not, how your car looks from the outside is what determines first impressions. A car that looks good has been looked after well and buyers now that. However, there is more to it than just a shiny finish to your exterior that should be considered.

> Paintwork. Detailing work, polishes, waxing and high sudsing shampoos combined with chamois, sponges and power washers can help protect your paint’s surface from damage and release its lustre wash after wash. TIP: A quick rinse can help remove tiny bits of debris that could cause scratching if not removed.



> A simple Tyre Pressure check ONCE A WEEK can help ensure your safety but by keeping your tyres at the correct PSI, you can reduce ware and fuel consumption.

TOP TIP: Keep a record of the tyres you use during your car’s lifetime and make sure they are good quality. Not only will they benefit you but when it comes to SELLING your car, a car’s tyre history tells a story to any buyer on how well looked after it is.

> Keeping on the tyre trend, Tyre Tread depth is also extremely important to monitor for your own safety. Low tyre treads decrease the grip you have on the road and excess surface water can lead to aquaplaning. Keep on top of your tyre treads and replaced them with high quality tyres, as they will wear less.

> If you can’t see it then it doesn’t mean that it’s not important and an area of your car that can be deprived of attention is your Chassis. Puddles, mud and sand can all leave a layer on your chassis system and the more salty it is (tends to be more coastal areas) then the higher risk you are of rust. A simple hose attachment that is designed to get under your car can help rid if of layers of mud, sand and dirt. Clean EVERY TIME you clean your car and definitely after trips in which muddy puddles or sand have occurred.

There’s more to interior cleaning than the vacuum.

> For sure, vacuuming regularly can help prevent the build-up of crumbs, wrappers and dirt, which can ultimately preserve floors and seats. Make sure you get inbetween the seats and if dirt and crumbs aren’t lifting off the floor, use a scrubbing brush to help raise them to the surface. Microfibre cloths are great for dusting and interior shampooing can make surfaces look brand new.



> If you have a young family or you know your car can get messy, Car Seat Covers are a great way to a) customise your seats and b) keep them protected for future sales.

TOP TIP: From a buyers perspective a car that smells like cigarettes can be a huge turn-off. Keep smoking outside of your car, as it’s near impossible to remove the smell.

Sales tips and where to look for buying & selling

All of the above are great things to keep on top of throughout your ownership. Cleaning doesn’t have to be regular and ‘under the hood’ checks take just a few minutes a week. As well as checking the parts mentioned in the first section, the following are some other areas to inspect before you put your for sale sign up:

> Spark Plugs – make sure your electronics are all fully functioning
> Fan Belt – check for noise, wear and tear
> Lights & Bulbs
> Spare Key
> Fuel light isn’t on – lights on the dash can be off putting to buyers.

When it comes to getting your next car or selling your current one, thousands of Australian’s flock to Gumtree to search for and advertise cars. The same applies to car dealerships like Bartons in which you personally have to weigh up which option you prefer.

Depending on what factors are the most important to you, going via Gumtree or a dealership like Bartons have their pros and cons, so consider what is most important to you before buying or selling. At the end of the day, cars that have been looked after the best and it is evident that they have been, they will sell the best.

Too many people don’t take good enough care of their cars and that’s why the unexpected should be expected. Initially, when people get a new or used car into their life, they tend to take better care of it initially and over time that personal care and attention diminishes. Cars are investments that do need to be looked after and cared for – not used without concern. Certain factors like keeping tabs on fluid levels and condition spot checks can help save you from the unexpected and hefty bills. Let’s put it this way…these handy, honest tips will hopefully move you towards spending time over your bonnet like this:

and not like this:

whilst saving you money in the process and maintaining your car’s resale value.

Under the hood

Perhaps the most important section of the car is the mechanics. Now you don’t have to be an expert in car mechanics to do any of the following checks on your car neither do they require you to disassemble an engine. These preventative maintenance methods are ideal for keeping your car running smoothly, reducing depreciation between service intervals, and making your car sell easier when it’s time to move on.

> Check you Oil WEEKLY. Engine Oil should be a dark brown colour and the closer it is to black the more it needs changing. Use the Dip Stick and some cloth to check the colour; it’s a 2 minute job. The longer you leave not changing bad oil, the worse it is for you car’s engine. TIP: Check oil when engine is warm and on a flat surface.



> The same goes for Engine Coolant. A WEEKLY look at your coolant levels can help you determine whether you have a leak or not. If you are noticing you are filling it up regularly – contact your dealer. REMEMBER: Never fill the coolant level above the MAX line.

> Power Steering Fluid. Again, a simple 30 second glance ONCE A WEEK at your power steering fluid level can help save your car’s valves and pipes from bursting. Without power steering fluid, not only is your steering system going to be effected, but bursts and breaks can affect other parts of the engine.

> Stay cool even during winter as checking your A/C is important all year round. Make sure you’re using it for around 5-10 minutes every 2-3 weeks to ensure the system is properly lubricated. REMEMBER: Never try and fix you’re A/C system, all repairs must be carried out by an ARC accredited repairer.

> Filters- the hidden pieces of kit that we rarely think of. Oil filters should be changed alongside your oil and pollen filters cleaned or replaced (depending on condition) maybe ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR (Pollen Filters every 30k). Oil filters help keep particulates from entering your engine system while pollen filters clean the air that enters your car…you’ll be surprised how dirty they get.

> Finally, Brake Fluid can deteriorate over time and low levels can lead to corrosion of braking components as the boiling point of the fluid is decreased with less liquid. It’s simple cuppa brewing science – less liquid = faster boil. Check WEEKLY to avoid problems and frequent changes throughout the year can help flush out contaminants.

Taking a look under your bonnet for all these things can literally take 5 minutes and changing these fluids is the easier part. With so many products on the market and so many cars, it can be hard to find the specific parts for your car. The great news is that SuperCheap Auto has an extremely comprehensive and useful part finder on their website. Simply enter your car make, model and year and all the compatible parts that you may need are there instantly, broken down into sections.