'Sellers could lose hundreds through mess and muck'

Car insurance policyholders looking to sell their vehicle are likely to be knocking hundreds of pounds off their asking price through poor colour choice and messy interiors.

According to online used car retailer Carsite.co.uk, a number of factors can influence how much a driver can get for their vehicle.

The firm suggests one of the biggest money losers in car sales is the colour of the vehicle. Undesirable colours such as orange and pink mean that some cars will fetch much less than conventionally-shaded cars in silver or black.

Findings by Carsite highlight a small to medium-sized car can lose between £200 and £500 in value through poor colour choice.

Wear and tear is shown to be another factor that can knock a vehicle's value. Van insurance policyholders with cracked or chipped windscreens could find themselves £250 worse off while dents and scratches could see them £200 to £300 out of pocket.

The general cleanliness of the vehicle is also an important consideration for drivers looking to get the best price for their vehicle. The firm suggests retailers see dust and dirt as indicators of a poorly maintained car and could see the seller lose between £300 and £400.

"A well maintained car is the best way to get a good resell valuation and fill your buyer with confidence," commented Alistair Jeff of Carsite.co.uk.

"Keeping your car clean with an up-to-date service book and selling with a long MOT are simple, but rewarding steps to achieving this."

The Post Office recently announced that almost half of drivers had cut back on vehicle maintenance to save money during the recession.

Contact Budget for a free quote on your car insurance cover.

The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of the BGL Group