From door dings at the grocery store parking lot to garage wall scrapes, cosmetic damage happens to almost every car. The tricky part is deciding what is worth fixing. Is it really worth spending money to patch up a tiny scratch? Could there be expensive consequences if you don’t get it repaired? It depends very much on the nature of the damage. This post delves more into exactly when and when not to repair dents and scratches on your vehicle.
How much does it cost to repair dents and scratches?
The cost of repairing a dent or scratch can vary considerably. To get a vague idea of what you might be spending, it’s worth assessing how severe the damage is.
- When it comes to small dents with no paint damage, it’s often possible to look into PDR (paintless dent repair). This involves using specialist rods or glues to massage the dent out without damaging the paintwork and may cost as little as $75 to $250.
- Light scratches on a clear coat may meanwhile be possible to polish and buff out for $75 to $200.
- When it comes to larger dents and scratches where the metal is visible, expect to pay a bit more – anywhere from $250 to $800. You may save money by using a mobile service.
- If multiple panels are damaged or panels/bumpers need replacing, you are looking at a price upwards of $1000. Major reconstruction may cost as much as $3500.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to pay for repairs by making an insurance claim. However, you need to consider your deductible/excess amount and the fact that your insurance rates may go up after making a claim – potentially not saving you any money (you may even end up paying more money by going through your insurer).
When should you repair dents and scratches?
There are a few times when you may want to consider repairing dents and scratches:
You can afford to pay for them
If money isn’t a problem, you may not mind paying for repairs. Quite often very cheap repairs (under $200) are always worthwhile.
The metal is exposed
If the dent or scratch has penetrated the paintwork and the metal is exposed, you may want to consider investing in repairs to prevent rust from setting in. This will stop further damage from being caused to the bodywork.
Other parts are potentially affected
Got a dent that’s stopping a door from being closed properly or a deep scratch that’s exposing internal parts? In these cases, urgent repairs are recommended.
Your car is leased or on PCP finance and you want to avoid charges
If you’re planning on trading your car in after your lease is ended or you don’t want to pay the balloon payment on a PCP finance scheme, you may face wear and tear fees when you return the vehicle. Getting this damage fixed now could be cheaper than having to pay these fees later.
You’re selling your car and you want to boost its value
Fixing scratches and dents could potentially increase the value of your car, which may be worth considering when planning to sell your vehicle. This is more likely to make a difference when fixing large and noticeable cosmetic damage.
You can pay for them via a legal claim
If you have been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to hire a car accident lawyer to make a personal injury claim. This could help pay for medical treatment and any damage caused to your vehicle.
Should you repair them yourself or hire a professional?
Minor scratches and dents may be possible to repair yourself. There are videos online that can teach you how to fix minor scratches using a toothbrush or dents using a vacuum cleaner. This could cost you nothing.
Buying tools like a PDR kit or car buffer are also potential DIY solutions. You could spend less buying these tools and carrying out repairs yourself than seeing a professional.
Of course, you need to be certain that you can repair the damage without causing more damage in the process. With more major damage, it is often much more advisable to take your car to a professional who can carry out the repair carefully and do it to a high standard. Be prepared to collect different quotes and check reviews to make sure that the repair service is reputable.
When should you not repair dents and scratches?
In some cases, it’s not worth repairing cosmetic damage. A few examples of when it’s not worthwhile are included below:
You have no plans to sell your car
Scratches and dents may devalue your car, but if you have no plans to ever sell your vehicle, this may not matter. Some people are happy to drive an older car with cosmetic damage until it no longer runs – eventually scrapping it and not having to worry about resale value.
The scratch or dent is minor and unlikely to affect resale value
It’s normal for older cars to have scratches and dents. If they’re relatively minor, fixing them may not have much of an impact on the resale value. Only noticeable damage is likely to affect value when fixed.
It’s likely you’ll incur damage again soon
Are you a newer driver? Do you live somewhere with rugged roads or potentially tight on-street parking? If you think your car is likely to develop more dents and scratches in the near future, it may not be worth your time and money getting every ding and scrape fixed. Instead, you may be better off embracing the damage. To prevent rust, there are still options for sealing the paintwork such as using a car polish.
Conclusion
Knowing when to repair and when not to repair dents and scratches all comes down to the severity of the damage and the circumstances surrounding it. Overall, it all comes down to how much you take pride in your car and whether you’re happy to keep driving around with cosmetic damage. With older and less expensive vehicles that are regularly driven in more damage-prone conditions, repairs may not be worthwhile. However, if you’ve got a newer car or a leased vehicle, repairs might be a good investment.
