Is it worth fixing dents in car before selling?

Asked by: Abbie Lehner  |  Last update: February 3, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (35 votes)

There is a lot of competition in the car selling industry. So it is very important to make a good first impression on customers looking at your car. Any visible dents or dings are a major turnoff that you should avoid. A car that looks good will get you more buyers and will make it a quicker sale.

Do dents affect 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%.

Does a dent affect trade in value?

Fix Any Dents

Your trade-in value shouldn't be significantly affected by them. But, if some of those dings aren't minor or there are a lot of them, then they can affect the trade-in value. It's the same with scratches. Having a dent repaired is cheaper than you probably think.

Can you trade in a vehicle with dents?

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.

Are car dents a big deal?

It Can Lead to Higher Repair Costs

As discussed, small dents can become much greater issues when left unaddressed, which is why fixing them immediately is ideal for drivers. Promptly fixing your dents will help you avoid more serious damage and save you money on repair costs.

Should You Repair Your Car or Buy a New One? | Autotrader

45 related questions found

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.

Should I fix my car before I sell it?

If your car is having engine issues of any kind, they're probably not worth fixing. If the engine is knocking, jerking, making strange sounds, or emitting strange fumes, it's best to just cut your losses. It's possible that these issues could lead to a blown engine, which would be far too costly to fix.

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.

Will CarMax buy a car with 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.

How do I increase the value of my car before selling it?

However, there are also some ways that you can improve the value of your payout.
  1. Having proper documentation. First, make sure you have proper documentation for the car. ...
  2. Keep up with maintenance. It's easy to skip routine service checks and oil changes. ...
  3. Make repairs. ...
  4. Install upgrades. ...
  5. Have the car appraised.

How much does a dent devalue car?

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.

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 clean up my car before trading it in?

Here are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most out of your trade-in before you go to sell your car: Clean the thing, inside and out. For the exterior, give it a thorough wash and a fresh coat of wax. On the inside, get rid of your personal items and vacuum the entire cabin.

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.

Should I detail 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.

Can you negotiate with CarMax when selling a car?

CarMax advertises “no-haggle” pricing, and it does not offer price matching or negotiation on any car purchases, sales or trade-ins.

Does CarMax negotiate price?

Branding: CarMax's brand is synonymous with transparency. The retailer has a no-haggle policy for used-vehicle prices and trade-in offers. CarMax gives free, no-obligation valuations and offers consumers a price that's good for seven days.

Should I fix a dent before trade-in?

If you're planning on trading in your vehicle, you should fix your car's minor scratches, dents, and blemishes before stopping by Midway Auto Dealerships. It's also recommended that you clean the interior cabin and remove any personal items.

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.

Why you should not trade-in your car?

Trading-in your old car might not be the best option out there, most of the time. The value of your car gets dissected and distributed across multiple middlemen; which means, the trade-in dealer, wholesaler and auctioneer benefit and not YOU.

Does painting a car decrease value?

Not only will you treat yourself to a vehicle with a like-new finish, you will add to its residual or resale value. By investing in repainting, you can get a higher trade-in value for an older vehicle. You can also raise your asking price when selling a used car directly to a buyer.

How long should you keep a car before trading it in?

If the vehicle is new, you should ideally wait until at least year three of ownership to trade it in to a dealership, as this is when depreciation normally slows down. If it's used, it already went through the big drop in depreciation and you can usually trade it in after a year or so.

What causes small dents in cars?

There are six common causes for small dents in cars—accidents, parking lot mishaps, fallen branches, ice, and our ubiquitous Ottawa potholes.

What adds the most value to a car?

6 Vehicle Improvements That Add Value to Your Car
  • Choose Matching Tires. Some people purchase tires two at a time in order to save money. ...
  • Keep Good Maintenance Records. ...
  • Get Your Car Detailed. ...
  • Replace Your Broken Windshield. ...
  • Clean the Headlight Lenses. ...
  • Avoid Customization.

What's the best time to sell your car?

The best time to sell a car is usually when you can get the most money for it. In general, that means selling when the car has fewer miles on it and is only a few model-years old. If you have a car loan, you'll generally want to sell your car only if you can fully pay off the loan.