Hi all.  I'm after a bit of advice...

 

When my car was a year old, I managed to reverse it into the tow hook of a static caravan. It wasn't enough damage to warrant an insurance repair and we didn't bother fixing it, thinking we'd get it spruced up at PX time.  Now that the car's 4 years old I'm thinking of putting it in PX for either a new Fabia or Octavia, and I'm curious about what people reckon about the cost of repair vs increased value.

 

I've had quotes to fix and it would be about £300 to straighten the bumper and respray it. The car won't be pristine - there's a scuff on the front bumper (other half's bump) and the odd scrape, but more in keeping with a 4 year old, 34k car.  Whatever I do, the car will be valeted and polished before going anywhere near the dealer.

 

So, do you reckon I'd increase the value by more than £300 to make it worthwhile? My thinking is that a generally tidy car gives a better first impression.

 

Thoughts welcome - thanks.

 

If you are going to PX I wouldn't bother getting it fixed. The dealer will probably get a cheap, for him, smart repair to tidy your car up before he puts it up for sale. Not the same marque I know but my daugher's i10 had lots of dents and scrapes come PX time and I am sure it didn't make any difference, walking out and going back a few days later to see the rep and the sales manager on a quiet Wednesday morning increased the offer by £800 to more than we would have accepted.

If, however, you are going to sell privately it is probably worth it..

I would agree with keitht, the dealer will probably have a contract with a local body shop and get it done cheap. You could be really fly and put one of those 'GB' stickers over it, seems like a normal place for one. You could be open about it and just ask what they would give you if you repaired it at your own cost and what they would give you if you left it as is.

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Thanks, that's very helpful. I think my doubt was coming from the fact that the dealer (which is the local VAG bodyshop) quoted over £1k for the repair because they would have to do it 'as new' with a bumper replacement. Of course, I appreciate that there's a chunk of labour in that.  I'll be upfront and see what they say.

Or you could get a local smart repair chap to come out and fix it for about £80.00

Tried that. It's too deep for a smart repair.

as long as you px and don't go down the webuyanycar route I wouldn't bother wbanycar knocked me down on a six year old focus with 90k for having stone chips lol