Anchor Vans, the UK’s largest commercial vehicle hypermarket, stress the importance of cleaning and maintaining your vehicle, not just for cosmetic reasons, but to reduce repair bills and to increase the re-sell value.
 

“Be it a car or a van, regular maintenance and cleaning will help save money on costly repairs, time out of working order and ultimately affect your sell or trade in value, so it certainly pays to keep your vehicle in the best shape possible. “ said Simon Joyce, managing director of Anchor Vans.
 

The UK car wash industry is worth an estimated £1billion a year, but that doesn’t mean that everyone cleans their vehicle regularly enough. Simon continues, “In the busy lives of modern civilisation, managing our vehicles has become another inconvenient task relegated to the bottom of the to do list. Juggling long working hours, distant commutes and hectic social schedules it seems the UK population is just far too busy to spend time taking care of their vehicles.”
 

Anchor Vans is one of the UK’s leading independent van dealerships thanks to 30 years of high-quality service from their hard-working teams. They’ve provided the following advice to vehicle owners:
 

Cleaning your vehicle

Rust, scratches and dull paint are all common issues that arise from built up dirt, affecting the look of your vehicle and more importantly its resell value.
 

Mud, bird droppings, and even salt sprinkled on icy roads stick to the surfaces of your vehicle. Over time these harmful substances eat away at paint work and cause damage underneath, which can leave permanent scars on the bodywork. 
 

For this reason, it’s crucial to take time to have your car washed on a regular basis; blasting away those impurities as quickly as possible and keeping your paintwork in tip top condition.
 

More unpredictable than a Reliant Robin on a roundabout, the great British weather doesn’t help much. Waiting for the right weather might be near on impossible but we recommend getting out there to clean your vehicle in overcast or cloudy weather, ideally not in rain or direct sun.
 

No time to do it yourself? Car wash services are so readily available in the UK, you can now have your car cleaned while you are out shopping or having lunch with your mates.
 

Ironically, the vehicles that you have to take most care of are those that get the dirtiest. 4x4’s, tipper trucks, vehicles used for hauling jobs, everyday commuting all require a lot of love. It may feel a thankless task now but remember that good care will lead to a higher price when you come to sell.
 

Maintaining your vehicle

It takes time and money to maintain a vehicle, but as with cleaning, it’s an investment that will save you more in the long run. The benefits of sound vehicle maintenance are:
 

• A safer ride for you and your passengers
• A higher resell value when you come to sell/part exchange
• Less chance of having to fork out for expensive work
• Less chance of lost working hours due to time in the garage
  
  

VOSA recommends daily checks on brakes, lights, horn and steering, washers and wipers, seatbelts, mirrors and glass, fluid levels, bodywork and doors, exhaust, wheels and tyres and where applicable load, tow bars and tail lift.
 

It may sound like a lot, but many of these are done automatically on arriving at and getting into the vehicle.
 

Regularly have your vehicle serviced at a trusted service centre, refer to your manufacturer’s service schedule.
 

Keeping on top of your vehicle cleaning and maintenance means that you will ensure that your vehicle always looks in good condition whilst running at peak performance!
 

What can you do in the comfort of your own home to maintain your vehicle and retain future value?

Invest in a quality assured bodywork preservation kit. We recommend LifeShine by Autoglym*:
 

• LifeShine is the complete vehicle protection system that is professionally applied at the dealership to your vehicles paintwork, upholstery and glass. It offers you peace of mind by protecting your vehicle from the day you take delivery for the lifetime of ownership, guaranteed
• Carbon Shield TechnologyTM - Protects vehicle paintwork against harsh contaminants and the elements to lock in colour and shine
• Paintwork protection - Paintwork is professionally treated with a unique protective coating, featuring Carbon Shield TechnologyTM to lock in colour and shine
•  Upholstery protection - A highly durable sealant is professionally applied to interior upholstery, protecting against spills and stains
• Glass protection - Glass treatment is professionally applied to exterior side and rear windows, creating a non-stick, water-repellent barrier
  
  

If your current vehicle is looking tired, think about part exchanging for a newer model. Check out Anchor Vans current stock at www.anchorvans.co.uk or www.anchorcars.co.uk.
 

Editors Notes
 

About Anchor Vans:

Anchor Vans is one of the UK’s leading independent van dealerships thanks to 30 years of high-quality service from their hard-working teams. The company’s expansive open court holds an impressive array of new and used vans for customers across the country. They currently hold a position as one of the top 50 independent motor dealers in the UK by Motor Trader, as well as being recognised in the UK Van Dealer of the Year awards.
 

To find out more about Anchors Vans, the services the company offers and about their dedication to raising money for good causes, please get in touch with their friendly team on 0118 9710 230 or visit www.anchorvans.co.uk.
 

The LifeShine system

With the LifeShine system, you’ll also receive a lifetime guarantee. Subject to reasonable ongoing care, your vehicle will remain in top condition, and the comprehensive guarantee* provides complete peace of mind for as long as you own the vehicle.
 

This guarantee applies only to original manufacturer’s upholstery and carpets and to the areas of which the LifeShine interior treatment is applied, i.e. seating, carpets and boot.
 

Once the trained technicians have applied the professional LifeShine treatment to your car, Anchor Vans provide you with a complimentary aftercare kit for a lifetime of superior shine.
 

LifeShine by Autoglym is suitable for all vehicles and starts at £399.

To find our more, contact pr@redheadpr.co.uk or call 0131 357 8977.