Smoke smell can drop value of car, marketing specialist says

(November 23, 2011) Worried about your car's miles at trade-in time? Perhaps you should be more worried about that smoke smell that permeates the interior, says UK online remarketing specialist Autorola. Autorola says the potential fall in the value of a car can be steep if it has been smoked in.

From its experience of selling vehicles online in 17 European countries, Autorola estimates a car driven by an active smoker can reduce used values by between £250-£500 ($400 to $800) depending on the make and model.

“The impact of smoking can impact residuals, particularly on the larger higher specified executive cars, to the point that it may not find a buyer if it hasn’t been thoroughly valeted,” explained Peter Grøftehauge, Autorola’s chief executive.

“You are likely never to get rid of the smoking smell completely, but a comprehensive interior clean from a professional automotive cleaning specialist should make a big difference. This clean may cost you in the region of £150, but should help ensure it attracts interest from buyers in the first instance, and will ultimately help achieve a better price for the car,” he added.

This comes at a time when the British Medical Association warns of the health dangers to children in particular when transported in a car when an adult is smoking.