Can You Sell a Vehicle That Has Been Fixed From Hail Damage?

If you fix hail damage on a car can you sell it? Let's take a look at the legal rules about fixing hail damage and then selling the vehicle.

Since US car sales are at their lowest in over a decade, people will opt to purchase high-quality vehicles. After all, there's more than enough supply to meet their demand.

Hail damage on a car or other automobile can be detrimental to your ability to make money. However, it is possible to sell a hail-damaged vehicle for its full value if you play your cards right. Read on to learn how you can turn a profit after a hail storm dents your vehicle.

Is It Legal to Sell a Vehicle With Hail Damage?

It's technically legal to sell a vehicle with hail damage. This is true even if you don't repair the damage. However, you will need to disclose everything to potential buyers so that they can make informed purchasing decisions.

A thorough mechanical inspection may also be in order since large hailstones can jostle the inside of your car around. You can't sell a vehicle that's unsafe to drive or has serious engine issues unless you're just selling it for scrap money.

However, despite the legality of the sale, it likely isn't a good idea to sell a vehicle before repairing hail storm dents. This is because a buyer will expect a high discount to compensate for the low aesthetic appeal of their purchase.

No one wants to drive a car that's all dinged up, and they'll need to shell out money for repairs on their own if you don't. It makes sense, then, that they'd expect a pretty hefty discount.

Is Repairing the Vehicle First Worth It?

If there's visible hail damage on the vehicle you're selling, you won't be able to get its full value paid to you. If you're selling a car worth $50,000, for example, and you have $10,000 worth of hail damage, you'll only be able to get $40,000 for it.

This is also a generous estimate since people will dislike the look and feel of the car up-front. They'll want an even lower price to feel like the purchase was worth their trouble.

There are also other considerations here like the future problems that hail damage may cause. Corrosion is a serious concern since even a tiny patch of rust can ding your car value by 15%. You also might have mechanical issues after large hail stones hit the vehicle since the impact can damage the mechanisms under the hood (including the engine).

Because of this, it's well worth it to repair your damaged vehicle before selling it.

Restoring Your Vehicle's Value

To get the vehicle you're selling up to speed, all you need to do is take it to a reputable repair shop. Express Hail Repair uses a paintless dent repair (PDR) process to repair hail dents and restore your ride's full value.

Our experts take metal rods of various sizes to the underside of your car's metal. They'll strike the damaged areas with the rods to pop the dents back out again. Once all the dents have popped back into place, they'll use expert methods to ensure that your roof and hood have a smooth surface that looks as good as new.

This process only takes about 48 hours, so you'll be able to profit from vehicle sales in no time!

Expert PDR isn't just worth it because it's an effective way to restore your car's aesthetic and functional value. It's also worth it because it's free in a lot of cases.

Our team works with all insurance companies to provide you with the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs. Most of our clients don't even need to pay a cent out of pocket. It's all covered by the insurance premium if you have comprehensive coverage.

Of course, those with partial coverage may need to pay a bit of money. However, this will almost always be worth it if you're selling the car since you can get its full value from buyers. In the unlikely event that you need to pay anything out-of-pocket, the repairs still pay for themselves.

The Ins and Outs of Selling a Repaired Vehicle

Selling a professionally repaired vehicle is generally easier than selling one with damage. You won't need to mark down the price too much since it will be in top-notch condition again. There will be a higher market demand for the vehicle and buyer perceptions will be better.

However, there are some additional steps you must take in order to protect yourself.

It's important that you disclose the history of hail damage to the buyer. This is a legal requirement in most situations. You also should provide documentation including:

• Records of past hail damage
• Receipts for repairs made
• Information about what experts said when making the repairs
• Other relevant documentation about the history of the vehicle
• Proof that the vehicle has passed safety inspections

Make sure that you also give the buyer a chance to assess the aesthetic value of the vehicle on their own. Let them come and look at it in person. If you're selling it online, provide them with 360-degree views via video or even a Skype call.

Be prepared to negotiate costs. While you'll probably get a high price for a repaired vehicle, you may not get the full value since it's refurbished and used. Have a bottom line in mind and haggle out a fair deal with the buyer.

Get Rid of Hail Damage on a Car or Other Vehicle

While hail damage on a car can greatly reduce its value, there are ways to restore it to its highest possible quality. Now that you know how to get the most out of vehicle sales after a storm, it's time to begin the paintless dent repair process so that you can turn a profit.

Express Hail Repair is committed to providing you with speedy and effective PDR services. We'll assess your vehicle's damage and give you a custom estimate for necessary repairs. Get a free quote today to begin the process of getting your car back into top shape.

‍