How much does body damage affect car value?
Asked by: Nora Barrows Jr. | Last update: April 29, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (28 votes)
Does body damage affect trade-in value?
Dealerships are not in the business of losing money, and body damage on your vehicle will certainly catch their attention. They're likely to factor in the cost of repairs when calculating your car's trade-in value, and this could significantly lower the amount they're willing to offer.
Is it worth buying a car with body damage?
Buying a damaged car is a risk, even if it's been fixed it may drive down the road semi-sideways, it may brake funny, it may skid off the road on icy days, it may wear out tires quickly, it may develop rust and rattles prematurely, and the gas tank or radiator may leak.
How do you value a car with body damage?
If it's driveable but just doesn't look good anymore, take approximately half the KBB value. But if it's heavily damaged and shouldn't be on the road, it's probably closer to a quarter of the KBB value.
Do dealerships buy cars with body damage?
If your vehicle is in rough shape, dealers could still take it on a trade-in. They may not keep it on their lots to sell themselves, but trading your older automobile for a newer one in better condition may be a more viable option than you think.
Damage History Can Impact a Vehicle's Value
Does damage to a car decrease value?
A car typically loses 10% to 30% of its value after an accident. In some cases, the loss can be as high as 50%, depending on the extent of the damage. For example, if your vehicle was worth $20,000 before the collision, you could lose between $2,000 and $6,000 in value due to the diminished value claim.
Will my car pass inspection with body damage?
Body damage
Minor dings and dents aren't typically counted against you in a vehicle inspection. If the damage is extensive enough, however, it may become a potential obstacle to passing.
Do dealerships fix body damage?
There are some repair shops that only do collision repair and auto refinishing. There are some dealerships that have their own collision repair facilities. The quality of the repairs can vary from one facility to the next. Where I live here in California, the Honda dealer is the largest dealership in the county.
Can you sell a car with body damage?
The body damage of a used car can be repaired sometimes. If your car has a few scratches and doesn't hold any severe damage history then it is totally fine to sell a damaged car with no fix. If the car has major body damage in a collision, then getting a minor damage repaired is recommended prior to selling.
Does body damage go on Carfax?
How Does Damage Get Reported to CARFAX? Many auto body shops, especially dealerships or larger repair chains, report repair data directly to CARFAX. This includes details such as the type of repairs performed and any parts replaced.
Will dealerships buy damaged cars on Reddit?
Yes, dealers will take it. Dealers will take ANYTHING. But the amount they pay for anything will depend on the condition and resale value.
What is considered body damage?
The three most common types of auto body damage are scratches, dents, and structural damage resulting from collisions. Understanding these types is crucial for determining the right repair methods and costs. Let's start with scratches. These can range from small chips to deep cuts in the paint.
Is it worth fixing cosmetic damage on a car before selling?
However, larger dents, deep scratches, or damaged paintwork can deter potential buyers and result in lower offers. If the cost of repairs is reasonable compared to the potential increase in selling price, it's often beneficial to fix cosmetic damage to make the vehicle more appealing and maximize its value.
What brings down the value of a car?
Several factors can affect the resale value of your car. These include mileage, age, condition, location, color, make and model. You can retain your car's value by regularly maintaining it and avoiding modifications that could decrease its appeal to buyers.
Will insurance fix body damage?
The insurance company will pay for your auto body repairs if it's your fault and you have comprehensive and/or collision coverage.
How to negotiate auto body repair?
- Understand the issue. There's a difference between feeling like the mechanic's estimate is too high and knowing so. ...
- Leverage the facts. ...
- Get quotes from the competition. ...
- Offer to provide the parts yourself. ...
- Get car repair financing.
Are body repairs worth it?
Putting off body repairs can be a false economy. That minor scratch, scrape or dent can allow water to permeate your car's finish, leading to rust that can be expensive to fix. This problem is worse the older your car is, with vintage cars at major risk of costly corrosion.
Is it illegal to drive a car with a bent frame?
In some cases, you can drive a damaged car to a shop for repairs if the car is road-safe. If the damage poses a safety risk on the road, it's advisable to arrange for a tow to prevent further damage, accidents, and other consequences. It's always illegal to drive a car that presents a hazard on the road.
What will make a car not pass an inspection?
- Improper First Aid Kit. ...
- Driver and Front Passenger Door Window Tint. ...
- Chips and Cracks in the Windshield. ...
- Brakes. ...
- Lights. ...
- Worn Tires. ...
- Engine/Transmission/Power Steering Fluid Leaks. ...
- Vehicle Height.
How long does a vehicle damage inspection take?
Regardless of where the inspection takes place, the inspector, also known as an adjuster, will walk around the vehicle and take a lot of pictures, even of areas that were not damaged. Depending on the severity, this may take anywhere from 30–60 minutes.
What affects car value the most?
Many factors figure into the value of a used car, but mileage and condition are the most important. After that, options, location, and color are influencing factors.
Does Kelley Blue Book take accidents into account?
Diminished value is an insurance industry term for the lost value a car sustains from an accident in its history. Even if repairs fully restore a car to its pre-accident condition, the accident still appears on its vehicle history report, lowering its Kelley Blue Book value.
Does minor damage affect car value?
Even with minor damage, your car's value can be lowered.