newboytothenova2
27-02-05, 12:31 PM
Pets, prangs and puffing can knock hundreds of pounds off the value of a car, it was revealed.
Dog and smoke damage together with the effects of accidents could wipe as much as 15% off vehicle values, research from used car company Network Q found.
Accessories installed by "Chavs" - the much-derided new tasteless, poorly-educated underclass - can also reduce a car's value.
Such "Chavtomisation", including Burberry-style seat covers, could cost a new owner up to ?2,000 to put right, said Network Q.
According to the company these are the five most common forms of "car abuse":
Reckless driving - Affects one in three used cars and can have a damaging effect on the value of the car;
Smoking damage ? Affects 20% of used cars. Non-smokers simply cannot be persuaded to purchase a car where there are traces of smoke present. Burned upholstery and discoloured interiors can cost hundreds of pounds to permanently repair.
Pets and pooches - The dog is not the best friend to one in 10 cars. Turning a car into a mobile dog basket can make it unsellable. Doggy smells, gnawed or ripped interiors and much worse driving away potential buyers and as much as ?500 to repair.
Chavtomisation - Network Q retailers estimate one in 40 cars are abused by dodgy Chav customisation from go-faster stripes, Burberry-style seat covers to a turbo engine. The addition of non-approved body kits, DIY paint and slap dash repair jobs on a car can have a significant impact costing anything from ?200 to ?2,000 to put right for a new owner.
Spills, stains and bellyaches ? Network Q estimate one in 50 cars suffer from families being carefree with food and drink. Spilt drinks, especially milk and alcohol, or dried sick can prove to be a disaster.
Dog and smoke damage together with the effects of accidents could wipe as much as 15% off vehicle values, research from used car company Network Q found.
Accessories installed by "Chavs" - the much-derided new tasteless, poorly-educated underclass - can also reduce a car's value.
Such "Chavtomisation", including Burberry-style seat covers, could cost a new owner up to ?2,000 to put right, said Network Q.
According to the company these are the five most common forms of "car abuse":
Reckless driving - Affects one in three used cars and can have a damaging effect on the value of the car;
Smoking damage ? Affects 20% of used cars. Non-smokers simply cannot be persuaded to purchase a car where there are traces of smoke present. Burned upholstery and discoloured interiors can cost hundreds of pounds to permanently repair.
Pets and pooches - The dog is not the best friend to one in 10 cars. Turning a car into a mobile dog basket can make it unsellable. Doggy smells, gnawed or ripped interiors and much worse driving away potential buyers and as much as ?500 to repair.
Chavtomisation - Network Q retailers estimate one in 40 cars are abused by dodgy Chav customisation from go-faster stripes, Burberry-style seat covers to a turbo engine. The addition of non-approved body kits, DIY paint and slap dash repair jobs on a car can have a significant impact costing anything from ?200 to ?2,000 to put right for a new owner.
Spills, stains and bellyaches ? Network Q estimate one in 50 cars suffer from families being carefree with food and drink. Spilt drinks, especially milk and alcohol, or dried sick can prove to be a disaster.