Buying a car can be an exciting time but it can also be quite stressful if you’re worrying that you may end up buying something that needs a lot of work or committing to a monthly fiancé package.

If you have a brand new car then you will probably be aware that it loses quite a chunk of its value as soon as it is driven off the forecourt, meaning if you went to sell it shortly after you bought it, you are likely to get quite a bit less than you paid.

This is one of the reasons you should try and look after your car inside and out to try and retain as much of its value as possible. Also you need to maintain the components of your car to ensure optimum safety of the vehicle and to try and avoid any unnecessary breakdowns or repairs. Cosmetic damage can quickly devalue a car and can put potential buyers off. If paintwork is damaged and there are scratches that go through to the bare metal then this could also rust. It may look like you are not looking after the car properly if there is bumps and scraps. It is advised that you get any paintwork or body damage repaired as soon as possible and by a professional, reputable company as bad paint jobs can look as bad as the damage.