It goes without saying that buying a new Mercedes-Benz is a significant investment for anyone, so you’ll want to take steps to protect it from general wear and tear that will not only decrease its aesthetic appeal but also reduce the amount you’re able to sell or trade it for.

Fortunately, if you keep your Benz in good mechanical condition, keep the interior crisp and clean, and don’t incur any dents on the exterior, it should hold its value better than most vehicle models. In fact, many classic Mercedes-Benz models are known for going past 500,000 miles on the odometer.

With that said, you can use the following four tips to keep your Mercedes-Benz looking and functioning like new for many years to come:

1. Use Quality Replacement Parts

Eventually you may have to replace certain parts on your Benz, whether it be a water pump, a belt or a hose. When that time comes, don’t try to cut corners with cheaper aftermarket parts. You’ll want to purchase high-quality Mercedes parts and have them installed by a professional.

Ideally, you’ll want to choose parts that come with a warranty and choose a shop that will also guarantee their work as well. You don’t want to wind up having to make the same replacement twice and having inferior parts in your engine could lead to other problems down the road.

2. Study the Owner’s Manual

Hopefully you’ve already taken this step, as it is the first thing you should do when you take the vehicle home from the dealership. Having a full understanding of your car’s components will help you keep track of things and replace/maintain them as necessary.

3. Invest in Scheduled Maintenance and Cleaning

Aside from knowing your Benz like the back of your hand and investing in quality replacement parts, you’ll still want to have a consistent and reliable maintenance schedule to keep your Benz looking and feeling clean always. When you consider how little it costs to have a full-detail done, it’s a worthy investment every six months.

4. Regularly Check Fluids

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is letting certain fluids get low without refilling them and correcting the course of the leak. Even a seemingly small leak can cause the engine to overheat and will cause unnecessary stress on the engine and small parts. You want the engine compartment to look pristine, which is difficult to achieve when you have dried and overheated parts, splashes of oil or anti-freeze.

Finally, the easiest way to keep your true odometer reading low is to only use your Benz on days when you want to look great or celebrate. On days when you want to have fun in the outdoors or just commute to work, you may want to have a backup vehicle that takes most of the abuse. After all, if you have enough to buy a Benz you might as well spend the money to have a car that keeps that Mercedes looking and driving brand new.