Whether you're looking to sell your car yourself or trade it in at a later date, maintaining the resale value of your vehicleis very important. Experts say that an automobile's depreciation in value is one of the biggest expenses that car owners incur, and over the first five years of ownership it may lose 35 percent of its value. Still, that does not mean there aren't ways to stave off the depreciation of your ride, and Jacksonville news channel WJXT recently shared a few tips on how to do so.

One of the best ways to ensure that the resale value remains high is to keep stringent records of all the maintenance the vehicle received. This way when you decide to sell your car, be it to an individual or to a dealer, you can show them just how well you've taken care of it over the years.

In a similar vein, you'll want to be sure that you do provide all the maintenance that it needs. New Jersey State Auto auction offers full car service to the general public so drivers can be sure their car is running at its best and will do the same for its next owner.

Though maintenance is important, so is the look of the car. It might run smoothly, but if its outward appearance is shabby chances are you won't get top dollar for it. According to the news channel, you should make sure to perform all the routine upkeep including vacuuming the seats, regularly washing it and making sure nobody smokes inside it.

As a final proviso, the news source recommends resisting the urge to customize it. While it might seem like a personalized paint job or stereo boosts its appeal to you, chances are this may not lure in consumers.