Once you’ve bought your ideal car, the next challenge is keeping it running smoothly for years of trouble-free motoring. While not everyone is a qualified auto mechanic or technician, there are things we can all do to maintain our car in Qatar and avoid those annoying breakdowns.

Keep your car serviced regularly

Number one on any list has to be that all-important full-service history. Your car is a finely-tuned machine where every moving part has to work in synergy to ensure hassle-free motoring. If things start to wear out or go wrong through lack of maintenance, your car will let you down, usually at the most inconvenient moment.

By ensuring you pay attention to those service points, including interim services as well as major services, you should be able to keep your car running perfectly. Trust your instinct. If you think that something may not be quite right, talk to your technician and ask them to check it for you. Catching problems earlier stops them from turning into bigger - and more costly - breakdowns.

Park in the shade

The Qatar is blessed with spectacular weather, but bear in mind that our strong sunshine factor can take a heavy toll on your car during the summer. UV light can damage paintwork and turn the inside of your car into a furnace, potentially warping plastic dashboards and fading fabrics. Our top tip to avoid the sun damaging your vehicle is to park in the shade, preferably in an underground car park where the temperature is much cooler. If you have to park in the sun, sun blinds on the windows or even a 3M window tint will help cut the interior heat.

Keep your tyres in good condition

They're the final contact point with the road and your biggest safety feature. Tyres in good condition work far more efficiently, keeping you safe on the road. Look out for under or over-inflated tyres, too – not only are they a safety risk, but they'll also have a negative effect on your car's fuel efficiency. If you're not sure what your tyre pressures should be, talk to your service centre.

Wash and valet your car regularly

Washing and valeting your car regularly not only creates a nicer space to be in but also helps to keep your vehicle in better condition. (Avoid washing your car during the hottest part of the day, though, prevent any damage to the paintwork). A good wash lets you get up close and personal to your car, checking it over inch by inch as you clean. It will help you identify any obvious issues and tackle them earlier to prevent them from becoming full-blown problems.

If you want to sell your car in the Qatar, keeping it clean is important. A clean, well-maintained vehicle with lovingly polished exteriors and interiors that don't smell of cigarette smoke or food will sell much more easily. It demonstrates to a potential buyer that you've cared for and maintained your car properly.

Buy a used car in Qatar that's been appropriately checked

If you’re buying a used car in Qatar, purchase one you know you can trust. If you buy an 'unknown' (one that has gaps in its service history, has obvious signs of major repairs or rebuilds, etc.), there's a good chance that your maintenance costs could skyrocket.

If you're thinking of selling your car, it's super-easy to do at Al-Futtaim Automall. We offer you the full market value for your vehicle and can complete the sale in as little as 60 minutes, with no fuss, no hassle. We'll even sort out any outstanding finance paperwork for you, so you don't have to worry about a thing. One thing we do look for is well-maintained examples, so the better your car is looked after, the more desirable it is.

If you buy your used car from Al-Futtaim Automall, you'll be buying a car that's gone through a rigorous, 99-point service check carried out by skilled, highly experienced technicians. You'll also get a warranty for total peace of mind and a vast choice of models to choose from. Whether you're looking for SUVs in Qatar or pre-owned sedans, Al-Futtaim Automall is your first port of call. And we're always here to help with advice on maintaining your car, so you get miles more smiles and years of trouble-free motoring.