How common driving habit could knock £2,000 off your car’s value

A Bristol car dealer has sent out an alert to drivers over an everyday practice that could knock a hefty £2,000 off the resale value of their motor.

Tom Kershaw, who has a wealth of experience under his belt, has chatted with Number 1 Plates about what he reckons is a major factor that hits the sell-on price hard – eating in your motor.

Tom highlights how casual eating while driving can cause a pile-up of tough-to-clean residues in spots like cup holders and on door trims, leaving a bad impression on those who might want to buy it or trade dealers.

Eating a car can put a potential buyer off thanks to spillages and stains
(Image: Jordan Siemens via Getty Images)

He warns: “People don’t realise how quickly a few snacks and spillages can wipe out value. And once it’s there, it’s there for good.”

Tom added, regardless of how clean they look, nearly all second-hand cars carry proof of past food or coffee stains, which leave their mark on the vehicle.

Sticky culprits such as grease, sugar, and coffee are often the culprits, notorious for wrecking havoc on upholstery, reports Lancs Live.

The car expert shared how a customer’s Audi R8, which normally would fetch an impressive trade-in value, took a £5,000 hit due to damage from a hot chocolate spill.

He said: “It looked great at first glance, but then I noticed stains on the passenger seat and hot chocolate soaked into the leather.

“The owner admitted he used it for coffee runs and the odd drive-thru breakfast. It’s not just about mess – it’s about how it makes the car feel.

“Buyers expect luxury in a car like that, not old milk and biscuit crumbs.”

The car expert recommended giving your car a thorough valet cleaning before advertising it for sale
(Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)

The pros at Number 1 Plates have put their heads together to come up with practical advice to prevent cars from losing their value, such as suggesting that owners should opt to eat outside their vehicles whenever possible.

For those times when you can’t resist dining in, they recommend keeping cleaning wipes on hand to quickly remove any spills before they settle permanently in the fabric.

What’s more, they suggest giving your car a thorough valet cleaning before advertising it for sale. “A car that smells like fast food or has mystery stains will always lose value,” said a specialist from Number 1 Plates.

“What buyers are looking for is a spotless, fresh-smelling interior. Not snacking in your car might just turn out to be the simplest way to save money.”

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