Top 11 'Resale-Value-Rescuing' EV Maintenance Habits to maintain for a higher trade-in value in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
The electric vehicle revolution isn't coming; it's here. As you glide silently past petrol stations, enjoying instant torque and a lower carbon footprint, you're living in the future of automotive. But with this exciting new chapter comes a question that has plagued car owners for decades: "What will it be worth in a few years?"
Depreciation is the silent passenger in every car, and EVs are no exception. With rapidly evolving battery technology and a maturing used market, the actions you take today will have a massive impact on your car's trade-in value tomorrow. Getting top dollar in 2025 isn't about luck; it's about smart, consistent habits that preserve the single most important component of your EV: its battery, and the overall condition of the vehicle.
Forget the old rules of oil changes and spark plugs. The new playbook for value retention is all about electrons, software, and thoughtful care. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we want to empower you with the knowledge to protect your investment. Let's dive into the 11 'resale-value-rescuing' habits that will make your EV the star of the used car lot when it's time to upgrade.
1. Master the 80/20 Battery Rule
This is the golden rule of EV ownership, and for good reason. Consistently charging your battery to 100% or letting it drain completely to 0% puts significant stress on the lithium-ion cells. Think of it like a muscle: you can stretch it to its absolute limit, but doing so repeatedly will cause strain and long-term damage. The sweet spot for daily driving is to keep your battery's state of charge (SoC) between 20% and 80%.
Most modern EVs make this incredibly easy. You can go into your car's charging settings and set a maximum charge limit of 80%. The car will automatically stop charging once it hits that level. This simple act dramatically reduces battery degradation over time. A potential buyer or dealership will often check the battery's health (its ability to hold a charge compared to when it was new), and a battery that has been pampered with the 80/20 rule will always command a higher price.
Of course, for long road trips, you'll need that full 100% charge – and that's perfectly fine! The key is to make it the exception, not the daily routine. Charge to 100% right before you leave for your trip, rather than letting it sit at a full charge overnight.
2. Limit Your Use of DC Fast Charging
The convenience of a DC fast charger is undeniable, adding hundreds of kilometres of range in the time it takes to grab a coffee. However, think of it as the "fast food" of charging – great in a pinch, but not something you want for your daily diet. DC fast chargers pump a massive amount of direct current into your battery, generating significant heat. Heat is the number one enemy of battery longevity.
Consistently relying on fast charging can accelerate the degradation of your battery cells more than slower, Level 2 AC charging (like the kind you'd have installed at home). A car's history can sometimes reveal its charging habits, and a vehicle that has been primarily charged at home overnight will have a healthier battery.
Reserve DC fast charging for road trips and emergencies. For your daily commute and local driving, a Level 2 home charger is your best friend. It's gentler on the battery, more cost-effective, and ensures you wake up with a "full tank" (to 80%, of course) every morning.
3. Stay on Top of Software Updates
Your EV is more like a smartphone on wheels than a traditional car. The software that runs it is constantly being improved by the manufacturer. These Over-the-Air (OTA) updates are not just for adding new games or streaming services; they are critical for the health and performance of your vehicle.
These updates often include crucial improvements to the battery management system (BMS), which can enhance charging efficiency, optimize power delivery, and even improve the battery's overall lifespan. They can also fine-tune the motor controllers and regenerative braking systems. A car running the latest software is literally a better car than it was when it left the factory.
When a dealership evaluates your trade-in, seeing that the software is up-to-date shows that the car has been properly maintained. It’s a simple, free habit that adds real value and ensures all systems are operating at peak performance. Don't ignore those update notifications!
4. Don't Neglect Your Brakes and Tires
With regenerative braking, your EV's physical brake pads and rotors get a much easier life than their petrol-powered counterparts. However, "use it or lose it" definitely applies here. Infrequent use can cause rust to build up on the rotors and, in some cases, lead to the calipers seizing. Make it a habit to apply the brakes firmly (when safe to do so) a few times a week to clean the rotor surfaces and keep the components moving freely.
Tires on an EV are a different story. They wear out faster due to the vehicle's heavier weight and the instant torque delivered by the electric motor. Worn or cheap tires are an immediate red flag for any buyer and an easy reason for a dealer to knock hundreds of dollars off your trade-in offer.
Invest in high-quality, EV-specific tires. They are designed with compounds that can handle the extra weight and provide better grip under instant acceleration, all while being optimized for low rolling resistance to maximize range. Be diligent about rotating your tires and checking the alignment every 10,000-12,000 km to ensure even wear.
5. Protect the Paint and Interior Like a Pro
This might seem obvious, but its impact cannot be overstated. A car that looks new will always fetch a higher price. The first impression is everything, and a swirled, faded paint job or a stained, worn-out interior screams neglect.
For the exterior, regular washing is a must to remove corrosive elements like bird droppings and road grime. Applying a good quality wax or, even better, a ceramic coating, provides a durable layer of protection against UV rays and minor scratches. This keeps the paint looking deep and glossy for years.
Inside, use high-quality floor mats (like all-weather rubber mats) to protect the carpet. Use a sunshade when parked outside to prevent the dashboard from cracking or fading. Clean spills immediately and use interior cleaners designed for modern automotive materials, especially on large touchscreens. A pristine interior shows a level of care that implies the mechanicals have been treated with the same respect.
6. Keep Meticulous Service Records
"But EVs don't need service!" This is a common myth. While they have far fewer moving parts, they still have service schedules. Coolant for the battery and electronics needs to be checked and replaced, cabin air filters need changing, brake fluid needs to be flushed, and as we mentioned, tires need rotation.
Keep a dedicated folder—digital or physical—for every single piece of paperwork related to your car. This includes:
- Annual service invoices from the dealership.
- Receipts for new tires.
- Invoices for alignment or brake work.
- Any warranty repair documentation.
Presenting a thick file of service records to a potential buyer or a trade-in appraiser instills immense confidence. It's tangible proof that you were a proactive and responsible owner. It removes all doubt about the car's history and demonstrates that it was never neglected.
7. Be Mindful of Your Mileage
There's no escaping it: lower mileage almost always translates to higher resale value. That said, you bought your car to drive it, not to store it in a museum. The key is to be smart about the miles you add. Consolidate trips and avoid using your car for very short errands where walking or cycling is an option.
Interestingly, a car with 45,000 km of smooth highway driving is often in better shape than a car with 25,000 km of harsh, stop-and-go city driving. The latter is harder on the battery, suspension, and tires. While you can't change your commute, you can change your driving style (more on that later). The takeaway here is to use the car as intended but avoid racking up "junk miles" that don't add value to your life but do subtract value from your car.
8. Garage It Whenever Possible
Your garage is your EV's best defence against its two biggest enemies: extreme temperatures and the elements. A battery pack is happiest at a comfortable room temperature. Leaving your EV parked in the blistering sun all day can cause the battery management system to work overtime to keep the pack cool, and long-term exposure to extreme heat can accelerate degradation. The same is true for sub-zero temperatures.
Furthermore, a garage protects your car's finish from sun damage (UV fading), acid rain, bird droppings, and tree sap. It also keeps the interior plastics and upholstery from being baked by the sun. When we appraise vehicles at Goh Ling Yong, it's often immediately obvious which cars have been garage-kept versus those left outside 24/7. It's a simple habit that pays huge dividends in preserving the "like-new" condition of your vehicle.
9. Preserve All Original Accessories
When you sell or trade in your EV, the buyer expects the full package. This includes all the accessories that came with it from the factory. The most important of these is the mobile charging cable and any included adapters. A frayed, dirty, or missing cable is an immediate red flag.
Take care of your charging cable. Coil it neatly after use, don't leave it lying on the ground to be run over, and keep the connectors clean and dry. The same goes for any other items: the original floor mats (if you swapped them for all-weather ones), the owner's manual, and both key fobs. Presenting a complete, well-kept set of original accessories shows meticulous care and makes the car feel whole.
10. Get to Know Your Battery's State of Health (SOH)
The State of Health (SOH) is the single most important metric for your EV's value. It's a measurement of your battery's current maximum capacity compared to its capacity when it was new. A car with a 95% SOH has lost 5% of its original range and capacity. This number is far more important than the odometer reading to an educated EV buyer.
You can often get an SOH report from your dealership during a service. There are also third-party apps and OBD2 scanner tools that can read this data for many EV models. Knowing your SOH allows you to speak knowledgeably about your car's condition.
If your SOH is high (thanks to following all these other habits!), it becomes your number one selling point. You can confidently state, "The car has 50,000 km, but the battery SOH is at 96%, which is excellent for its age." This piece of data can add thousands to your trade-in offer by removing the biggest fear for any used EV buyer: battery degradation.
11. Drive Gently and Embrace One-Pedal Driving
Your driving style has a direct impact on the long-term health of your vehicle's components. Mashing the accelerator for every green light and braking hard at every stop sign puts unnecessary stress on the battery, motors, suspension, and tires.
Embrace the smoothness of electric power. Gentle acceleration not only maximizes your range but also reduces wear and tear. Even more importantly, master the art of one-pedal driving by using your car's most aggressive regenerative braking setting. This uses the electric motor to slow the car down, converting kinetic energy back into battery charge.
This driving style is not only incredibly efficient but it also drastically saves wear on your physical brake pads and rotors. A smooth driver who maximizes regeneration will have a car that is in much better mechanical condition years down the line than an aggressive driver. It's a win-win: you get more range on every charge and a more valuable car at trade-in.
Your Investment, Your Control
Maintaining your EV's value isn't a passive process; it's an active commitment to smart habits. By focusing on battery health, preserving the car's cosmetic condition, and keeping meticulous records, you are taking control of depreciation. These eleven habits don't just save you money on potential repairs; they are a direct investment in your car's future worth.
Think of it as building a resume for your car. When it's time to trade it in, you won't just be handing over the keys; you'll be presenting a well-documented, meticulously cared-for vehicle that stands head and shoulders above the rest. And that is how you get the highest possible value in 2025 and beyond.
What are your favourite EV care tips? Do you have a habit that you think is crucial for preserving resale value? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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