Nothing lasts forever. There will always come a time when we need to say goodbye to our beloved vehicles, no matter how heavy our hearts feel. Whatever your reasons are for selling, you have a responsibility to both the buyer and your car. However, your car has to be in tip-top shape so that it is in a good position to fetch those dollars you need to part with it.

In this article, we'll share the top 5 tips on how to keep your car in good running condition, so it's easy to sell when it's time. Don't worry if you don't know anything about car maintenance. You can always seek the help of a trusted mechanic.

Follow the Periodic Maintenance Schedule

All cars come with an owner's manual that lets you know when your vehicle needs servicing. Newer cars even tell you when it's time for their regular PMS. Do not overlook this! Periodic maintenance will prevent bad manufactured car.

Here are a few ways Periodic maintenance can help you:

You'll save money on costlier repairs down the road. If your vehicle has a problem and you delay it, other systems will compensate and suffer as well.
Your car will be good as new after it gets serviced from an authorized and competent shop or dealer.
Mechanics can check for any rust buildup on your vehicle's underside.
Your car will last longer.

Remember B.L.O.W.B.A.G

Battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air pressure, and gas.

You can do daily or weekly inspections yourself if you know your way under the hood, have tools and want to save some money. Check everything on the BLOWBAG list, and if something is amiss that you can't handle, take your car to the shop.

If you own a second-hand car, you can always run a VIN check to get an official vehicle report. Knowing your car's history makes it easier for you to do preventive maintenance on it. You can also include this info with the documents for the new owner.

Drive like a Sunday Morning

Take it easy on your car. If your vehicle isn't built for the race track or for off-road, don't force the issue! No matter how solid and well made you think your car is, it's still a machine with moving parts that can break.

Be Smart About Aftermarket Accessories

Not all aftermarket add-ons are useful for your car, especially if you don't make the proper adjustments. Remember that changing anything major on your car will set off a chain reaction:

Changing rim sizes means you have to upgrade the breaks and maybe even the shock absorbers.
Low profile tires look fantastic, but the ride will be stiffer.
Installing a sound system with a sub-woofer may need electrical tweaks.

Keep Your Car Spotless

A clean, well taken care of car will always look more appealing than a similar vehicle that looks like it just rolled off the junkyard showroom! Your car's interior cabin should be stain, dust, and odor free. You can use interior dressing to bring out the shine in your car's dashboard.

Regularly washing your car ensures that dust and other debris won't scratch it. Wax seals and protects your car's paint from acid rain and sun damage. Keep your car parked inside a garage if you have access to one.

Selling a car is easy. The hard part is getting enough of the initial investment back into your pocket! To get the most cash out of your ride, all you need to do is take good care of it. A well-maintained vehicle tells the buyer how much you value your car, and that it's worth every penny. Until next time!