Paint Protection Film Can Add up to 15% to a Vehicle’s Resale Value
The new survey finds 92% of U.S. auto dealers believe PPF helps maintain more of a vehicle’s value over its initial ownership period…
XPEL Inc., provider of protective films and coatings, recently released highlights from a new national survey of U.S. automotive dealership professionals that reveals that adding paint protection film (PPF) to a new vehicle’s exterior surfaces can significantly increase its resale value—an especially compelling benefit given current market conditions, company officials stated in a press release.
The study found that 96% of respondents believe applying PPF to all a new vehicle’s painted surfaces helps retain more of its value over the initial ownership period, with 70% citing value-retention gains of up to 15%. More than 90% of respondents also say that PPF applied to a new vehicle should give owners greater confidence in the resale value of their vehicle when it’s time to trade in or sell.
Rising Costs Increase the Average Age of Cars on the Road
These findings come against a backdrop of historically high new-car costs and shifting consumer behavior, noted the release. In 2025, the average price of a new car in the U.S. was over $50,000 for the first time. Many owners are also holding onto their vehicles longer; the average age of cars on the road is now 12.6 years. Meanwhile, used-car pricing remains elevated. The average used-vehicle price is nearly $30,000—narrowing the traditional cost advantage of buying used, the company said.
According to the survey, dealership decision-makers overwhelmingly agree that PPF contributes to stronger resale pricing and customer satisfaction:
- 92% say vehicles with PPF applied to all exterior surfaces when new would have a higher resale value as preowned inventory.
- 9 in 10 dealers (91%) would recommend customers protect all exterior surfaces rather than just the front end.
- Even limited front-end coverage is viewed as beneficial, with more than 70% of dealers citing value retention up to 15%.
“Auto dealers agree, quality PPF protects more than just a new vehicle’s paint,” said Tony Rimas, VP of revenue of XPEL. “In today’s market, where the average cost of a new car is nearly $50,000, PPF also helps owners protect their investment, whether that be via full-vehicle PPF coverage or front-end only coverage.”
About the Survey
The Car Dealers Survey Report (June 2025) was conducted online by Atomik Research among 300 essential business decision makers at light-duty automobile dealerships selling mass-market automotive brands throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%. Fieldwork took place between June 3 and June 12, 2025.
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