Is Your Car Showing Its Age?
Your car ages just like you do, but it's up to you whether it shows its wear gracefully or not. Even if it runs perfectly, you probably don’t want to drive around in a vehicle that’s squeaking, chipped, or scratched. But don’t worry—it doesn’t cost a fortune to give your car a little makeover. Here are 10 things that instantly make your car look old, and 10 tips to keep it looking brand-new.
1. Broken Lights
If your car has broken headlights or taillights and you don't get them fixed right away, they can instantly make your vehicle look old and outdated. Not only that, but not replacing them right away can make driving dangerous, as others won't be able to easily spot your car on the road, and you won't be able to easily signal your intentions.
2. Peeling Paint
Peeling or faded paint will also make your car appear old. While it's understandable that you might not want to get chipped paint fixed right away, especially if it's a costly repair for your particular vehicle, leaving it be will only mar your vehicle's appearance and make it seem more rusty and outdated than it is.
3. Cracked Windows
Have a cracked window? It's best to get it fixed right away. Not only will it make your car look outdated, but it may also cause safety issues, especially if there are still shards of broken glass lying around. Plus, it won't be particularly convenient when it's raining or when the weather is cold.
4. Dents & Scratches
If you've been involved in a hit-and-run or someone scratched your car, you'll also want to make sure to get it fixed as soon as possible. Even if they're minor, scratches and dents can instantly ruin your vehicle's appearance, especially if you sport a brighter or paler color.
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5. Dirty Mats
Sure, no one gets to see your floor mats except for you and your friends and family, but they still can significantly age your car and affect others' comfort. After all, who would want to place their feet over mats that are covered with crumbs, dust, dirt, and debris?
6. Outdated Tech
Outdated tech might look cool and retro, but if these components no longer work or are covered with dust, that will only affect how others view your vehicle. You'll want to regularly clean these systems, lest they stop working completely and you're left with a car that's only half functioning.
7. Rust & Grime
Forget about peeling paint—having rust and grime tacked on your vehicle will immediately turn heads, and not in a good way. Make sure you get your car regularly waxed, polished, painted, and maintained, or else its appearance will only degrade.
8. Worn Seats & Leather
Worn leather might give your seats a vintage vibe, but not if they're also covered with dust and stained. If you don't keep your interior in good condition, it will make your car look old, even if the exterior looks new and shiny.
9. Clutter
Just like dirty floor mats, you don't want to be leaving garbage and other miscellaneous items in your seats if you want your car to look new. Leave your clutter there for more than a week, and you might even be greeted with a not-so-pleasant smell every time you hop into your car.
10. Squeaky Brakes
Squeaky brakes aren't something people can see, but passengers sitting in your car will definitely be aware of them every time you bring your car to a halt. It's important to note that, while noisy brakes don't always mean you need to swap them out right away, you should still be wary and find the root cause of the problem in case it's something more serious and potentially dangerous.
What, then, are some ways to keep your car looking brand new? Here are 10 must-follow tips.
1. Regular Washes
It sounds obvious, but you'll be surprised how infrequently car owners bring their car in for a good wash. Sure, you might be able to get away with it if your vehicle sports a darker color, but on brighter, lighter shades, like silver or white, you'll want to make sure your car stays spotless.
2. Replacing Worn Mats
As mentioned earlier, dirty floor mats can make or break a car's appearance, not to mention comfort. Your passengers will much appreciate you changing out dirty, scuffed-up mats for new ones—although you'll still want to make sure to vacuum your interior often to get rid of any crumbs and dust.
3. Car Freshener
The key to making your car look and feel nice is making sure it also smells nice. Thankfully, it's easy to install a car freshener in your vehicle, and there are plenty of scents to choose from that are inexpensive. No more making your passengers sniff that week-old pizza and gym outfit you forgot to throw in the wash!
4. Keeping Tires Clean
You might not think much about what your tires look like apart from keeping them properly inflated, but regularly cleaning them of debris is another way to keep your vehicle looking clean and new. You'll also want to opt for black tires if possible, as they often make your car appear more luxurious and polished.
5. Conditioning Leather Seats
You can keep your worn leather seats if you'd like, but make sure to regularly wipe them down to keep them dust and stain-free. Conditioning them will also keep them looking brand new. If you have any rips or tears, it might be time to replace them.
6. Parking in the Shade
This is another thing you might not think twice about, but regularly parking under the sun can bleach interior fabrics and, over time, can cause leather to crack. Plus, it'll create an overly warm environment, which can damage electronics or spoil any food left inside the vehicle.
7. Regular Maintenance
This is another obvious one, but you'll also want to make sure to bring your car in for regular maintenance. When your components start to whine and squeak, that's usually an indicator that your car is starting to wear down, and you'll need to get a mechanic to fix it up new again.
8. Dusting Your Dashboard
You might not realize it, but your dashboard collects dust and debris much more quickly than you realize. It'll be much more prominent under the sun, which won't be a great sight to be met with when you hop into your car, so make sure you give it a good wipe down regularly.
9. Get Rid of Bumper Stickers
Bumper stickers, especially when you have too many clustered together, can make your car look tacky and outdated. While it's usually fine to just have one or two, you'll want to remove any others that make your vehicle stick out like a sore thumb. Make sure to get all the adhesive off!
10. Tinted Windows
Sometimes, just tinting your windows can instantly upgrade your car's look. Another great benefit of tinted windows is that they can help block out harmful UV rays, which is good for you and your interior.
