Can you trade in a vehicle with dents?

Asked by: Prof. Kobe Green DVM  |  Last update: July 12, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (26 votes)

In many cases, yes! In fact, your trade value might be higher if you trade your car in with the body damage unrepaired. Not only can the dealer see the problem as it is, but they can also profit from doing the repairs themselves.

Should you fix a dent before trading in your car?

Before trading in your vehicle, have it professionally washed and take care of all dings and dents, as well as any other exterior deficiencies which can diminish resale value.

How much do dents affect trade in value?

Answer provided by. A good rule of thumb is if the dent is visible from about 10 feet away or if the paint has scratches, it can cause a 5%-10% depreciation of your car's value.

Do dents lower car value?

An average accident can decrease a car's value instantly (and permanently) by 10 – 25% annually, whereas an accident that only creates light damage (such as light scratches or small dents that don't impact the paint) will only decrease its value by 5-15%.

Will CarMax buy my car if it has a dent?

"Minor imperfections have little impact on our appraisal offer, but major defects like frame or flood damage do," says Tom Marcey, CarMax's vice president of regional merchandising. Once one of our appraisal team has looked at your car, they'll let you know what your car is worth and will make an offer.

My Sneaky Trade In Tactic - Ex Car Salesman Tells All!-How To Trade In Your Car

19 related questions found

Does Carvana take cars with body damage?

If your car has been wrecked it's also worth noting that while Carvana does purchase vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, the car must be in running order in order to be sold. In fact, a representative from Carvana will test drive your car at the time of purchase.

Will CarMax buy my wrecked car?

Can I Sell A Car With Body Damage To CarMax? CarMax can indeed buy cars with body damage. However, depending on how serious the damage is, CarMax may not be able to put it back out on the lot, which means chances are they'll offer a quote significantly below market value.

Is it worth getting dents fixed?

Things like unrepaired dents can lower the value of a used car, even if they're small. Add paint damage and rust spots to these car dents, the price a buyer is willing to pay goes down even more. Furthermore, unrepaired dents are a sign of a neglectful owner.

Is it worth fixing car dents?

Small dents may cost $100 or less to fix. At this price, it can be a good idea to get it fixed if you're bothered by the dent's appearance or want to sell your car. But, doing it yourself may cause paint damage. Plus, even a repaired dent can result in rust down the road.

Should I worry about a small dent in my car?

It's important to have your car dents repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage from impacting your car. Small, quick repairs can be completed if the dents are taken care of quickly, so it's important to be proactive.

How can I sell my dented car?

Ways to Sell your Damaged Car
  1. 1) Repair it and Sell it. If the nature of the damage is minor, it is beneficial for you to repair it and then put it out for the sale. ...
  2. 2) Sell the Car in its Current State. ...
  3. 3) Sell the Car to Scrap Dealer.

Should I repair scratches before selling my car?

Repair any scuffs, scrapes or dents

Looks are important when it comes to selling your car. Anyone looking to buy a used car will be keeping a lookout for any damage to the bodywork of the car, including the alloys and windscreen.

Do scratches affect trade in value?

Trade-in evaluators at the dealership expect your used car to have a few minor dings and scratches. Your trade-in value shouldn't be significantly affected by them.

What should you not do when trading in a car?

Common mistake #1:
  1. Not having any idea of your car's trade-in value.
  2. Trying to make your car “showroom ready.”
  3. Overestimating your car's worth.
  4. Not mentioning your plans to trade-in up front.
  5. Not getting more than one offer for your trade-in.

Is it better to fix a car or trade it in?

It is almost always less expensive to repair a car than buy a new one. Although something as severe as a blown motor or a failed transmission will run you between $3,000 and $7,000 to replace at a dealership, such repairs still don't cost as much as buying a new car.

How much do scratches devalue a car?

Is it in really rough shape or is it just some light scuffs and scratches? If the damage is really light, take 10 to 15 percent off the book value. If the damage is really bad, take 75 to 85 percent off the fair market value.

How much does it cost to pop out a dent?

Small dings with paintless dent repair may cost between $200 and $500, while larger dents that need paint repair can cost between $1,000 and $3,000.

What causes car dents?

If you're parked under a tree, small tree branches and even acorns can fall with enough force to leave dents in your car. Additionally, if you're parked under a high-rise building, any object that falls from such a height can hit your car with enough force to cause a dent.

How much does it cost to fix a dent in a car fender?

Door/Fender Dents and Dings

Expect to pay between $50 to $150. If the paint isn't missing or, if there aren't any cracks, Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) can keep costs down.

Can car door dents be fixed?

Fortunately, the answer most of the time is to get the existing dented door fixed. Just about every sort of dent or damage to a door can be repaired, and often quicker and cheaper than you might expect.

Should I clean my car before selling to CarMax?

How important is it to have a clean or detailed car before I bring it to CarMax? There's no need to spend a lot of money on professional detailing before you visit us. We're not as concerned about minor imperfections as we are about how your car has been cared for over time.

Should you clean your car before trading it in?

Before trading in, always make sure that your car looks clean and smells as clean as possible. This can significantly increase the value offered by the dealership.

Does CarMax buy cars with over 100 000 miles?

The answer, surprisingly, is yes. CarMax does buy vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them. Generally, they do not buy these vehicles for resale, they are usually auctioned off or sold for parts.

What is the downside of Carvana?

Cons for using Carvana

The prices of cars may be on the higher side compared to private party sales or other used car dealers. No opportunity to test drive the car upon delivery. Buyers might not see certain features or damage from the online pictures alone.

Can I sell my car to Carvana if it's been in an accident?

Sell your car quick to us! Like mentioned above, Carvana may be huge and popular, but that means nothing to you if your vehicle has previously been in an accident. They can't sell accident vehicles so they won't buy them, but remember, we do and we buy cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs quick.