Quite a horrible dent on my Mercedes DONT know how to move forward

Herzlos

That's assuming a buyer would even consider it. If they can't be bothered to fix that damage, then what else can't they be bothered to fix?

It'd definitely knock the value by far more than the repair. It'd be much more cost effective to find a bodyshop to fix it for cash, or maybe even see if you can get new doors/panels from a scrap yard.

That said; If I was planning on keeping the car a lot longer and was somewhere it was likely to get damaged again, I'd probably just leave it alone.

biscan25

For those saying leave it, this amount of damage could lead to extensive rust if you left it a couple of winters.
Based on damage caused to my mums car after driving over one of those little headstones used to mark gas on the street, I'd say £500-£1000

Grey_Critic

motorguy said:

So you're advising him to tell the insurance company, which by your own admittance that can create problems?

AND on top of that, he'll no doubt have excess to pay on his insurance, he'll have to declare the claim for 5 years and it'll likely put his insurance up for several years at least??

Not a pups chance i'd be telling the insurance company.  Find a local recommended / reputable body shop and get them to sort it.  £1000 tops, less if they're lucky.  

Read you insurance policy T&Cs they require you report any accident even if not making a claim.

Not telling them is a personal decision however the same comment/advice has been posted on here on numerous occasions.

Don't shoot the messenger just because you do not like the message.

Ath_Wat

biscan25 said:

For those saying leave it, this amount of damage could lead to extensive rust if you left it a couple of winters.

That's what people always said to me.  I've left mine, worse than that, for about nine winters.  Parked outside.  No rust.

motorguy

Ath_Wat said:

motorguy said:

Ath_Wat said:

I got a dent like that on my car about 8 or 9 years ago.  Bit worse really.

I ignored it.  Car is still fine.

Not much point in driving a nice car and then having that damage on it.

I'd be getting it repaired.

Come resale time he'll either have to repair it before selling or the cost of the repair will be knocked off the value so you'd just be kicking the can down the road AND have to look at it in the meantime.

Some old scrapper yes, 5 year old car thats worth maybe £15K+, i'd be getting it fixed.

I'm glad to say my life wouldn't be in any way negatively impacted by looking at a scratch on a car.  It's a car.

But then as your posting name is "motorguy", you probably put far more importance on cars than I do.

As i said and was my point, on a fresh car like that thats likely to be resold at some point rather than driven on in to its old age, its going to be paid for at some point - either in prep for a private sale or in value knocked off the trade in value anyway, so its just kicking the can down the road, not saving money.

And its called "looking after things you own", nothing to do with the importance of a car.

motorguy

Richard53 said:

motorguy said:

Ath_Wat said:

I got a dent like that on my car about 8 or 9 years ago.  Bit worse really.

I ignored it.  Car is still fine.

Come resale time he'll either have to repair it before selling or the cost of the repair will be knocked off the value

It would have more effect on a sale than just the value of the repair, though. You're asking someone to buy a damaged car. Say it's 'worth' £10k and the repair is fairly judged to be £500. Could you really ask £9500 and expect to get it? I doubt it. You're selling a car, plus damage, plus a trip to the bodyshop, plus a hint that the owner didn't really care about the car, and so on. That would do far more damage to the car's value than just the repair cost. I'd only consider a damaged car if I knew I could pay the price AND fix the damage for a lot less than a pristine car. Otherwise why take the risk?

I take your point, though. Fix it before sale, definitely. Otherwise I'm reminded of those chancers who advertise "No MoT but will pass easily." Yeah, mate.

Agreed, yes.

I was thinking more of the trade in situation but its quite possible it could be sold on privately and yes, you're right, a private seller would either be put off or expect it to be notably cheaper to make it worth their while.

Ibrahim5

Bodyshop repairs can be done well but most aren't. If it will pass an MOT and won't rust and isn't going to injure anyone I just leave it. It still functions as a car. Often better with a minimal repair instead of radical. Eg a dent on a door is better pulled out rather than have a door replaced even if it's not perfect cosmetically. Doors have a lot of electrical stuff inside which is better left intact.