When selling a used car, you want it to be in the best shape possible so that you can get the best offer. But dents and dings can bring down the value. Most buyers want a car that at least looks great on the outside, even if there’s some normal wear and tear from years of use.
Is it worth fixing a dent, though? Are small dents worth fixing or only severe dents? We explore these questions below.
Is It Better To Fix A Car Before Trading It In?
There are pros and cons to fixing up your car before a trade or sale, let’s explore them below:
Benefits of fixing your car before a trade-in:
You may get a better estimate.
You will make a better impression on the buyer.
You may be able to sell your car faster.
Downsides of fixing your car:
It is your responsibility to pay for all repairs.
The trade-in offer might not outweigh the cost of repairs.
Repairs can take weeks.
Overall, cosmetic repairs are pricey and do not add significant value to your car, at least not enough to offset the cost. A car that looks good will make a good impression, but there are other ways to show a potential buyer that your car is in good shape despite the dents.
Is It Worth Fixing Dents Before Selling My Car?
If you’re thinking, “Should I fix the dent in my car before selling?” we’re here to help.
While presenting an unblemished used car to a buyer is ideal, it’s not always practical. That’s because even small dents can be costly to repair.
Dent repair jobs that don’t require paint can cost around $100. If your vehicle does need repainting alongside dent repair, depending on where the dent is, you could be looking at a bill of several hundred dollars to upwards of $1,000.
That price can quickly skyrocket if there are dents located all around your car.
If you want to improve the value of your body damaged car without overspending, it will be more beneficial for you to do the following:
Touch up minor scratches
Wash the exterior
Detail the interior
Remove small stains from upholstery and carpets
If you want to go above and beyond, you can also do the following:
Replace burnt-out headlamps and tail lamps
Fill up all fluids
Replace windshield wipers
In short, it’s not recommended that you spend money on dents. If you’re trading in your car at a dealership, know that the dealer can repair issues for much less.
Dents from Hail Damage
Sometimes dings and dents come from bumping into cars or poles, other times, mother nature is the one inflicting damage.
Small and minimal denting might not be a big deal, but if you have numerous dents all over your vehicle from a hailstorm, you might be looking at a totaled car.
Dents over one inch in diameter are considered severe. Hail can also chip paint and cause scratches. After a serious storm, you’ll be looking at a car full of body damage.
So, hail can damage your entire car and to fix each dent, your body shop technician will likely recommend fully replacing each part rather than repairing or repainting. As a result, hail damage repair costs can range from $2,500 to over $10,000.
If you have an older model car with a low value already, dent repair won’t even be worth it.
Read on to find out what you can do instead of shelling out thousands for repairs.
How To Sell A Car With Dents Easily: DamagedCars!
Rather than mulling over whether it is better to fix a dent before selling your car, simply sell it as-is to DamagedCars!
We buy cars that are dinged, damaged, or totaled. No matter how bad your car looks, we’ll give you a great offer for it. Plus, our process is easy:
Get an offer. Input info about your car into our online calculator and get your estimate.
Schedule the pickup. Accept our offer and schedule a free pick-up.
Get paid! Hand over your keys to the tow driver and get your check!
From estimate to pick-up, everything can be done in 24 to 48 hours and is completely free. Try DamagedCars today and sell your dented car as-is!
