Persistent smoke odour can affect how buyers perceive a used car, but it is only one of many interior odour problems. Forgotten food, wet animals, spilled drinks, moisture and contaminated ventilation systems each require a different response.

The first step is not fragrance or fogging. The source must be identified and physically removed wherever possible. Seats, carpets, underlays, luggage areas, plastics and accessible ventilation paths are inspected and cleaned according to their materials.

Only after this work should a supplementary odour-treatment method be considered. AVP has used dry-fog processes that distribute very fine droplets through the cabin, helping the treatment reach narrow spaces that direct wiping cannot access.

Chemical fogging must be carried out with approved products, correct concentration, suitable personal protection and sufficient ventilation. The vehicle should not be occupied during treatment, and surfaces must be checked for compatibility first.

The time and likely outcome depend on the source, intensity and depth of contamination. Odour embedded in seat foam, insulation or a leaking ventilation system may require component removal or technical repair. No responsible assessment can guarantee complete removal before the vehicle has been inspected.

If your vehicle has a persistent odour, tell us when it began, what caused it if known and which areas are affected. AVP will recommend the useful cleaning and treatment steps rather than masking the problem temporarily.