Should You Repair Or Replace Your Dented Car?
If you're driving a vehicle with some extensive cosmetic damage, often known as a "beater," you may be wondering whether it's worth repairing these dents and dings or simply replacing your vehicle entirely. Even if these dents are purely cosmetic and don't affect the way your vehicle operates, they can be embarrassing—and for those who work in certain public-facing jobs or those that require you to transport customers or clients, having a dented vehicle can be a deal-breaker. Although no two situations are exactly alike, there are some questions you may want to ask yourself when waffling between repairing or replacing a vehicle with major body damage.
How Much Will Repairs Cost?
Some seemingly minor body damage can be expensive to repair simply because of where it's located. In other cases, a serious-looking dent or ding may turn out to be a cheap repair. By getting a couple of no-obligation repair quotes from local body shops, you'll have a good frame of reference to decide whether it's cost-effective to repair your vehicle.
Can You Perform Repairs Yourself?
Auto body repair shops have specialized equipment and expertise, both of which allow them to perform a wide range of repairs. But not all auto body damage requires professional repair. If you're a generally handy person and the repairs your vehicle needs are confined to one small area, you may be able to fix them yourself. If you go this route, you'll want to make sure your expectations are realistic ones; few DIY repairs will look as good as professional ones, so expecting to be able to return your vehicle to like-new condition can leave you disappointed.
Do You Want to Sell or Trade Your Vehicle?
In some cases, cosmetic damage to a current vehicle can be the "last straw" that prompts the owner to go new car shopping. But if you're planning to sell your vehicle to a private party and the repairs it needs are relatively inexpensive, it can be a good idea to have it repaired even if you don't plan to keep it. Taking this step can significantly increase your asking price and help you recoup any money you spend on these repairs.
On the other hand, if you're hoping to trade your car into a dealership instead of selling it to a private party, cosmetic damage may not do much to dent the price offered to you. This can make repairs unnecessary, especially if they're expensive ones. Visit a website like https://www.dattagetowingandautorepair.com to learn more.
Vehicles are expensive and that's one of the reasons why car owners should keep their vehicle in the best condition possible. Many people don't know this, but keeping your car clean can actually extend the life of your vehicle. We didn't know this either and when we found out, we decided to do some research and learn why it's so important to regularly clean a vehicle.
We learned that regular washing and waxing of your car will protect the paint and it can also prevent repairs. Dirt, road salt and other kinds of grime can eat away at the paint and body of the car. We wanted to share this information with others and that's why we started this blog. As you read our posts you'll learn a lot more information about why it's so important to keep a clean car.