Hi,
I have a 2013 Honda Civic Sedan LX (black), about 84k miles. I got in a minor car accident a few years back, long story short, the front bumper (cover?) and hood were damaged and would both need replacement. It runs fine, been driving it since then because it's all cosmetic damage, but my question is should I repair before selling/trading it in? I was thinking of buying the parts (around $700-900 total in parts) on my own then taking the parts to a mechanic to install, paying for labor. I'm guessing it could overall cost around $1,300ish for it all. Financially would this be worth doing or should I trade it in with the body damage? Other than that it runs great, have had zero issues. Any input here would be much appreciated, thanks!
- Tyler
ordinarily I'd say yes, you will get more interest, and better offers for a car that cosmetically looks good. People are desperate for cars, so it might not make as big of a difference.
If you were going to sell it to someone I would fix it. Trade in they’re gonna rob you of what it’s worth. You always lose 30% or more of what the cars worth on trade in. And if it sounds like they are giving you a awesome deal that just means they have the price of what your buying jacked way up. Me, I would fix it. Lookup book value on it. Add 15% in todays market to that price and advertise it for private sale. Then when you go to the dealer with cash in hand you can better negotiate.
Thanks for the answer! Good info, I was leaning toward fixing it when I can spare the money, and glad to be aware of the extent of the trade in rip off.
On a side note, I don't understand this practice in the USA of bringing your own parts to a mechanic. I notice it quite often. If I tried that here I would just end up paying more, and it costs me more time. The mechanic gets good quality parts, at wholesale price, delivered right to his shop, usually within an hour.
Can anybody explain this?
In the US, shady mechanics here mark up prices ridiculously, Example a part I can buy for 100 bucks some mechanics will charge 300 or more for. And it isn’t just the auto industry. I was at a friends, he had a company come out fix his AC. They were gonna charge him 250 bucks for a compressor starter cap that I could go buy for 20 bucks. He had me go get the part and put it in. To be quite frank, the service industry in America has problems, whether its mechanics, AC Techs, Plumbers, Electricians, I’d say 50% at least are dishonest and shady.
well if he's that shady, then I wouldn't want him touching my car anyway
Well unfortunately we have more shady repair shops in the US than honest ones. Not just auto repair but service industry overall. Even the honest shops markup their parts ridiculously. I do repairs for people and have to order parts I send em the link, let them order them. That way they know I’m not marking up anything .
Personally, I wouldn't buy a car with front end damage and I wouldn't sell one that way either. Fix it and be a honorable person.
