Is it worth getting dents fixed?

Asked by: Prof. Adelbert Parisian  |  Last update: September 19, 2022
Score: 5/5 (6 votes)

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 it to fix a dent in a car?

Unless the dent or scrape is very minor (and therefore very cheap to fix), older and less-valuable vehicles probably won't gain much value from a repair. You're often better off just keeping your money and living with the scrape and the knowledge that your car is a little less perfect than it was yesterday.

Is it worth fixing dents in car before selling?

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%.

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.

$600 Dent Repair VS a Cheap Hot Glue Gun

18 related questions found

How much does it cost to pop out a dent?

The dent repair cost may range from $50 to $2,500. Although that's a broad range, most small dents that are roughly an inch in size may cost around $50 to $125. Small indentations may come from a flying rock or piece of hail. Dents stemming from a collision are typically larger and cost $150 or more.

Will a dent affect my 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.

Can I trade my car in if it has a dent?

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 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.

Are dents normal in cars?

Dents can be a common occurrence for many vehicle owners. Try as we may to protect our cars from suffering auto body damage, it's often unavoidable. By being aware of what types of incidents occur you can however, put yourself in a better position to be equipped to avoid them.

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.

Do all used cars have scratches?

Simply put, the car won't be perfect, and you shouldn't expect it to be. Normal used cars will include curb rash on the wheels, scrapes, dents, scratches and seat wear — all items you probably won't be able to avoid unless you buy a new car.

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.

Do Chips Away repair dents?

The majority of minor dents can be repaired by a ChipsAway mobile repair specialist. No matter where the car dent is, from the bumper to the side panel, ChipsAway specialists are available to repair your car, so it looks as good as new. Larger dents may need to be repaired at one of our nationwide Car Care Centres.

How long does it take to fix a car dent?

For traditional car dent repair, you're probably looking at between 2 days and 2 weeks. If the damage qualifies for Paintless Dent Repair, the dent could be fixed in as little time as an hour. Car dents could take a few hours to repair or they could take a couple of weeks.

Do car dents get worse over time?

Most people think that a dent or a ding is simply a cosmetic issue. However, any damage to the body that is left un-repaired can affect the paint job of the vehicle as well as the structural integrity. These defects tend to become worse over time.

Do dent pullers work?

Do they work? Dent pullers only work on shallow dents that are positioned on a flat, flexible surface. They can improve the appearance of car dents but are unlikely to create a perfect finish. Unfortunately, DIY dent pullers will not work on deep, angular dents or damage along the edges of bodywork.

Can a car dent get bigger?

If the dent's size and the damage to the paint are small enough, you may not notice the rust at first. By the time you do, there's a good chance it will have expanded in size, making it bigger and unsightly compared to the original dent.

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.

Is it better to fix a car before selling 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 worth it to repair car scratch?

While minor surface scratches, those that can be buffed out by hand, typically do not create a risk for rust, deeper scratches should be fixed right away to avoid this issue. The longer a car has a deep scratch on its surface, the more water, dirt, road salt and debris will reach the metal and contribute to rust.

Should I trade in my car after 2 years?

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 is the greatest cost of owning a car?

The six major costs of owning a car
  • Fuel. The average cost is $1,681.50, or 11.2 cents per mile. ...
  • Finance charges. ...
  • Depreciation. ...
  • Insurance. ...
  • Maintenance and tires. ...
  • Licensing, registration and taxes.

How can I remove dents myself?

Heat the dented area of your vehicle with a hair dryer at the highest setting possible. Get it as hot as possible and then use a can of compressed air to blow on the dent. The cold air will contract the plastic and allow the dent to pop out on its own.