10:05 pm, July 4, 2008
SMOKING in cars has been banned – so if any of your trade-ins show evidence of being a smoking room, be warned!
Evidence from BCA shows that buyers are being put off by cars that smokers have inhabited.
PR Mananger Tim Naylor said: ‘Professional buyers always favour cars that are in the best possible condition, and will pay the most for them.’
‘Presentation is not just about how it looks, but how it smells!’ Naylor said not smoking in cars avoids ‘the lingering smell of cigarettes hanging in the interior, as well as eliminating the risk of discolouring and leaving scorch marks on the interior trim or upholstery. All of these things put buyers off, even if they smoke themselves.’
While professional valeting can alleviate most of the effects of smoking, it means extra cost and time in the selling process and still might require the replacement of interior trim, such as nicotine-stained headlining.
‘Any vehicle that has been heavily smoked in will undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.’
