Are Those Added Extras Offering Value For Money?

Cars are coming with an ever greater number of bells and whistles as part of their standard spec, and for a little more you can add some extras that a few years ago would only have been seen on the Jetsons.

But some of the bonuses could prove to be turkeys when you come to trade your old motor in, warns a leading auction firm, which has compiled a list of do’s and don'ts when customising your car.

The information can also be useful when you come to consider the costs of a motor insurance quote.

Top class luxury vehicles must have automatic gearboxes – manuals can be worth as much as £4,000 less a few years after purchase.

Metallic paint is an essential for larger vehicles, with the right neutral shades of silver or light blue or bold blacks and reds for sports cars, adding as much as £1,000 to the price.

Pricy sat nav and leather upholstery add just £250 and £300 respectively to the cost of large family vehicles at resale – far less than the original catalogue price for the options.

Drivers of compact executive models attach more importance to them however, and are willing to pay £500 and £400 respectively for the options.

Be Wiser is a quality provider of Motor Insurance.