DIY Maintenance - good or bad for resale?

[Davidson]

Hey guys, just bought a 2007 SR5 with 108k miles. As I read about all the maintenance for the vehicle, I'm getting excited about working on the truck and learning a lot along the way. My experience with auto maintenance is really just limited to fluid changes, brakes, and water pumps...simpler things.

However, having just purchased a used vehicle with high miles, I realized that having a credible maintenance record will help with the value of resale. So my question is, is it financially worth getting maintenance that I can do myself done by a professional?

Thanks!

 

[RunnerAK]

In my opinion - no. You can potentially save thousands of dollars over several years by doing maintenance yourself, while the increased resale value from professional maintenance would probably only be worth a few hundred dollars when you go to sell it.

I've saved probably $1000 or more in labor costs alone this year by doing my own brakes, radiator replacement, and oil changes.

 

[RCs4Runner]

Hey guys, just bought a 2007 SR5 with 108k miles. As I read about all the maintenance for the vehicle, I'm getting excited about working on the truck and learning a lot along the way. My experience with auto maintenance is really just limited to fluid changes, brakes, and water pumps...simpler things.

However, having just purchased a used vehicle with high miles, I realized that having a credible maintenance record will help with the value of resale. So my question is, is it financially worth getting maintenance that I can do myself done by a professional?

Thanks!

Many like to see the work done by a professional mechanic but that's entirely up to you. I'd personally do it myself if I can. If you do the work yourself make sure you save all of your receipts for parts etc. and record the mileage when you perform the maintenance / repair.

 

[awdjunkies]

Any type of proof, even as simple as a sheet of college ruled paper with the receipt of what ever piece (s) you purchased, stapled or taped to it. You will make the buyer happier and more in tune to purchasing yours, even if it has more miles, than the 4runner down the street with zero records and less miles..
That's the way I look at it.. From a buyers, as well as a sellers perspective.. eace:

 

[YotaDriver]

Exactly what [MENTION=25740]awdjunkies[/MENTION] said: save your receipts and better yet, take photographs during the process so you can have a virtual portfolio to show a potential buyer down the road.

Of course, once you get to know your 4Runner it's unlikely you're ever going to want to sell it.

:yo:

 

[WillK]

Doing any maintenance you can is never a negative thing, as long as it's done right.

If you sell it privately in the future, anyone who also does their own maintenance, or knows enough about cars will be able to within the first 5 minutes of looking at it whether it's been maintained or not...

 

[Davidson]

Thanks guys. I think it makes sense that selling privately, down the road, the payoff may not even be there and if it is, it would be minimal relative to the cost savings maintaining on my own. Great advice everyone.
:clap2:

 

[NOVA46]

If you were buying the vehicle, wouldn't you love it if the seller handed you the entire history? Receipts and records you compile can be higher quality than dealer records if you take the time