Should I fix my car before selling it?

Kalamazoo

Morning All

My wife has a 2006 (56 plate) Ford Focus 1.6 automatic. It's a bit old and outdated so we've bought her a new car to replace it.

The Focus has a fresh MOT just done, has just been serviced, has a FSH and runs impeccably. Its very clean inside and out, with no rust. The only problem is that some kind soul a little while back crunched in to the front passenger side wing and left it a bit dented/crumpled up. This was done whilst it was parked up and they predictably left no note or anything.

Should I get this fixed before selling? If so, should I buy a wing from a breaker/ebay in the same colour and pay a bodyshop to fit it? Or should I just leave it and take the hit in selling price, but save myself the cost and hassle of getting it fixed?

Advice/experiences appreciated - cheers!

neilmcl

You need to work out just how much it is to repair. The damage will likely put a lot of people off so if it's cheap to repair then do so.

Stevie_Palimo

Depends on how bad the damage is as to what amount the price would be dropped on the sales value, I would probably just offer it less and allow them enough to cover a wing and replacing it, Not a big job if you use an independent garage but I 100% would not be adding spraying into the mix as this will double the amount at least in relation to costs, They would need to blend it in and so on.

Most older cars have knocks anyway so if it is not really bad then some people would not care, More so a first time driver that may go on to knock it again anyway, If you are seeking a few thousand back then consider fixing it but age of car and millage would probably not warrant any expense.

Kalamazoo

Its the wheel arch area that has basically been crumpled up a bit. Nothing dangerous or illegal/unroadworthy, but looks crap. Shame as well because its such a good, clean little car otherwise.

I found a wing in the same colour at a breakers yard for 30 quid. Im thinking I'll just buy that and pay someone to bolt it on and then get the car polished. How much should I be looking at for having a panel installed?

Only expecting to get c. 1500 for the car if its fixed. I think it will go for less than a grand if I dont sort it, so probably worth doing if I can get it done for under 200 all in?!

Stevie_Palimo

I have a good mechanic I deal with and if I supplied a wing to him to fix on it would probably be an hours work or so at most and he'd expect a around £30 - £40.00 , If you are taking this into a garage and have paid for the wing I would not expect it to be anymore than around £75 £100.00 max to fit and that is top end, Try and look for the same colour though so it does not stand out like a sore thumb.

jimjames

Kalamazoo wrote: »

I found a wing in the same colour at a breakers yard for 30 quid. Im thinking I'll just buy that and pay someone to bolt it on and then get the car polished. How much should I be looking at for having a panel installed?

Check how easy it is. You may find you can do it yourself as some cars it's an easy one to swap

missile

I would sell it, sold as seen. Let someone else think he is getting a bargain and save yourself the hassle.

Kalamazoo

Didn't realise getting the panel swapped might be that cheap, or i could possibly do it myself!

Have ordered a second hand wing in the same colour for 30 quid. Will try and get that bodged on and then advertise it

spira9

I would list it will pictures of damage first and see what type of offers you get. If you are not happy with it then you can go ahead with the repairs and highlight that in your listing.