While specification remains the strongest price indicator, presentation is the next most important factor in a vehicle achieving a good re-sale price. “Presentation is not just about how it looks, but how it smells,” said a BCA spokesman. “Professional business sellers realised that they were losing money on vehicles they were selling that had been smoked in and motorists buying a used car don't want to be reminded of the previous owner every time they get behind the steering wheel.” BCA said professional valeting was the only effective means of removing the impact of smoking but was often an expensive option.