Whether you are planning to sell your car in the near future, have purchased it for investment purposes or simply want to protect your investment, increasing the resale value of your car is never a bad idea. Many people are not aware, but there are several ways to maintain your car in such a way that it will prove to be more valuable than it's peers.

Keep it clean. Everyone likes a clean car and will consider this factor heavily when deciding to purchase a new ride. Even if you don't intend to sell it in the near future, you should keep the car clean for yourself and your passengers. Regular vacuuming, upholstery cleaning and shampooing of the floor are the best ways to maintain your car's interior.

Maintain your car according to the manufacturer's guidelines and schedule. This means regular inspections, oil changes and keeping up with any other repairs that need to be done. Keeping your car operating properly will make you feel safe while operating it and will also protect your investment in the years to come.

If it's broke, fix it. As with most cars, repairs are inevitable and no matter how hard you try, there will come a day that something needs fixed. It's best to avoid putting off any repairs and just go ahead and have them done immediately. Anything left uncorrected can lead to a much larger, and more expensive, problem in the future.

Annual Check-ups! A yearly visit to the doctor isn't just for individuals, but for cars too. Ok, so maybe a repair shop isn't the same thing as a doctor's office, but you get the idea. Annual inspections of your car's performance is crucial to it's overall health. Most states require that an individual have their car inspected annually, so do it for safety and because it's the law.

Walking. Believe it or not, walking is good for your car. When you walk, that is. When you drive to the grocery store, take a quick visual scan of the parking lot. Where are most of the cars located? Near the entrance, right? If you park in the less crowded area and are willing to walk a little farther to get inside the store, you may save your car from being dented and dinged by runaway shopping carts, car doors and other mishaps that often occur in crowded parking areas.

Save your receipts. If you have paperwork relating to the car or parts warranty, keep it in a safe place. In addition, any recall information and/or repair work that you have had done will be beneficial to future buyers and will also reassure them of your complete honesty if you are willing to go the extra mile and provide the paperwork.

In addition to the aforementioned ways of increasing your car's value, you should also repair any rust spots or paint chips, interior defects, loose knobs or other cosmetic problems that may affect the car's value. If you do all of these things, your car should be a major contender when it comes time to sell. Until then, you will have the pleasure of enjoying a well-maintained automobile.