Why is polishing a car important?
Quick answer: Polishing restores a car’s “like-new” look by removing dull, dead paint, wash marks and light scratches. Because modern cars are mechanically long-lived, appearance drives value — a glossy, freshly polished car looks newer, attracts more buyers and usually fetches a higher price.
In a general sense, having a car which is polished makes it look like new. Dull and dead paintwork, wash marks and scratches are what makes a car look old.
Cars these days tend to be very mechanically reliable and the engine and running gear can last a long time, so this is less of a concern in valuing a car. Much of the car's value is its cosmetic appearance. So a car which is polished and shiny, and looks newer, will be in more demand and fetch high prices at sale.
If you’re selling, you want a quick sale. Fresh, glossy paint and tidy wheels get more clicks, more viewings, and stronger offers. Private buyers don’t hang about; a newer-looking car gets snapped up while the scruffy one sits and stales, inviting low bids. Tidy it first, then list it, and you’ll usually sell faster and for more.
But if you aren't thinking of selling, the benefit of a shiny car is that it's much easier to maintain. It won't get dirty as quickly as grit and grime sticks to dull, oxidized paintwork but will wash from a shiny, waxy finish.
You can buy a bottle of polish and hand polish your car once a month, which will remove oxidation, but professionals use machine polishing to remove all the scratches, and can actually make a car shinier than when it came out of the factory. And once this amazing finished is achieved, a specialist coating can help it stay that way.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 15/09/2025 15:46