Is it worth fixing the bodywork of my dented/scratched old car?

Kamran

Hi all, hope you're doing well!

I think my motoring dilemma doesn't actually have an obviously correct answer but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I own a 4 door Ford Focus Hatchback, 2006 reg that runs beautifully, never causes any problems, but is quite badly scratched on many sides, with a few obvious dents too.

The dilemma I'm in, is that my wife and I are expecting a new addition to our family and so a 4 door car makes sense to be the main run-around car. We weren't sure whether to replace the scratched up Ford with something not as hideous, or whether to pay to have the body fixed somehow - whether repaired or repainted/covered. Financially, we can afford a new car if need be, but it's more about the moneysaving principle!

Selling the 2006 ford really wouldn't fetch much, £500-£800 at best I reckon, given the age, mileage and exterior condition. But there's a part of me that says that it's a reliable, safe car that ain't broke, would take a baby's isofix seat, has 4 doors, has passed all it's MOTs and has good service history - why not give it one last Hurrah?

In all honesty, I really can't keep driving the ford while it looks the way it does. It's never been in an accident, it's all been scrapes and knocks and yes it's a perfectly good working car, and yes this is a money saving forum, but it looks so bad, I really can't bring myself to be seen driving in it. Nobody wants to be driving their family around in a car with so many dents and scratches!

How much would it realistically cost to have the 4 door panels re-worked? I'm not sure what that translates to - it could mean dent repair or scratch repair. The front and rear of the car are fine. Happy to share pics if need be. I did a quick check online and one site was quoting £1000+, which is more than the value of the car itself! Not sure I would want to spend that much on an old car.

Your thoughts are much appreciated as always!

Richard53

Repairs to a good standard would cost more than the car is worth, but that isn't the whole picture. It's whether they cost more than the car is worth *to you*. If you like it, it's reliable, and you know all its little ways, it might be worth a lot more to you than the few hundred that Glass would give it, when the alternative is a superficially better car that you don't know.


I once paid more to get a car through an MoT than the market value, simply because the car was worth it to me. I knew it, I liked it, and it did everything I needed. It cost some money, but then I had a car that would serve me for many more years, which was worth a lot more to me than a slightly newer, smarter model with an unknown history.


I'm a big fan of keeping decent old motors going as long as you can. I hate the way society has gone all throwaway these days.

Jonesya

Could you do a DIY job on the scratches with touch-up paint?

Granted it won't match a respray for quality, but if they blend in then they won't catch your eye and won't stand out while driving along.

thescouselander

Back when I used to drive old bangers I did quite a few diy spray jobs. It's not that hard once you've got the technique down. It won't look as good as a professional job but you should be able to make the car look a lot better. Sounds like you've got nothing to lose by giving it a go.

If it were my car I'd get the local dent company to knock out the dents and follow up with a diy spray job on the scratches.

Norman_Castle

Take it to a few local body shops and get quotes. If the damage is only to the doors replacing them could be an option.

chrisw

I would keep it as it is then you can park it wherever you like without worrying about it.

There's obviously a reason it's as battered as it is, if you have it repaired or replaced it would be gutting to have it damaged again.

Ebe_Scrooge

Kamran wrote: »

I really can't bring myself to be seen driving in it. Nobody wants to be driving their family around in a car with so many dents and scratches!

At the risk of sounding "holier-than-thou", what's the problem ? If the car is mechanically sound then it's a no-brainer - who gives a stuff about other people's opinions over what the car looks like ? And if it's already scratched and dented, then you aren't going to be worried about a few new dings that occur from lugging baby seats and prams in and out of it. If it were me, I'd be touching up any really bad parts, purely to stop rust taking a hold, then not worrying about the rest.


But if it really bothers you, then you should be able to do a reasonable DIY repair for very little money - if the doors are really badly dented, a bit of hunting around in scrap yards will more than likely turn up a replacement that you can re-spray and attach pretty cheaply.

bobbymotors

op whereabouts are you in the country?

I sold 5000 cars in 12 years, and know of the most sensible bodyshop anywhere...!

Nodding_Donkey

chrisw wrote: »

I would keep it as it is then you can park it wherever you like without worrying about it.

There's obviously a reason it's as battered as it is, if you have it repaired or replaced it would be gutting to have it damaged again.

This

There is also the bonus that if you live in a high traffic area other drivers will be wary of taking the mickey.

LandyAndy

chrisw wrote: »

I would keep it as it is then you can park it wherever you like without worrying about it.

There's obviously a reason it's as battered as it is, if you have it repaired or replaced it would be gutting to have it damaged again.

This^^^


I had a Peugeot 405 estate for many years. Large gouge in a door of unknown origin and a bent bonnet and front panel from hitting a deer (even at 10mph they can do a lot of damage). It was perfect for driving anywhere and leaving anywhere. And, it was reliable which easily trumped shabby bodywork for me.

n217970

My 12 year old car when bought 2 years ago didn't have a single mark except the usual chips etc for a car of that age.

It has since been backed into by a silly old "person" who then drove off (which I witnessed - I was putting my son in the car at the time, other side thankfully). Then it has taken another knock in the door which I am certain has been done by a particular 4x4 at nursery but I can't prove it. Annoying but if they had happened to our other "good" car I would have been f***ing furious. Hence my decision to just leave it as it is.