It depends on the car. Small, cheap fixes that buyers notice straight away, such as light scratches, scuffed bumpers and cloudy headlights, are the ones most worth looking at. Big repairs on an older, lower-value car often are not.
There is no single answer, because it depends on the car. A rule of thumb is to fix the small, visible things that cost little, and leave the big ones to be priced into the sale. Below we explain how a buyer looks at a car, which repairs we would think about, and which we would not. We are a body shop in Smallfield, near Horley and Gatwick, so this is about the paintwork and bodywork, not the engine or the paperwork.
How does a buyer look at a car?
The first thing a buyer sees is the outside. Within a minute they will have walked round it. They notice the bumpers, the corners, the wheels, the lights and any panel where the colour looks different. A few marks are expected on a used car, and most buyers know that. What puts people off is a car that looks as if nobody has looked after it.
That matters because a buyer who sees one neglected thing often starts to wonder what else has been left. A cloudy headlight or a cracked bumper corner is not a big fault, but it can make a buyer more wary about the rest.
Which repairs are usually worth thinking about?
These are the jobs where the bill is small compared with how much the buyer notices.
- Light scratches and scuffs. A scuff on a door or a bumper catches the eye in a photo. A smaller job such as a scratch repair can take it away.
- Small dents with the paint intact. If the paint has not cracked, SMART repair may fix a small dent without a respray. We have to see it to say.
- Cloudy or yellow headlights. Cloudy lenses make a car look older than it is. Headlight restoration is a quick job, and our published price is on that page.
- A scuffed or split bumper corner. Car park knocks usually land on the corners. Our bumper repair page explains what can be mended and what has to be replaced.
- Kerbed alloy wheels. Scuffed wheels are easy for a buyer to spot, and they are covered on our alloy wheel refurbishment page.
Which repairs are usually not worth it?
Again, it depends, and these are general points rather than rules.
- Large repairs on a low-value car. If a repair costs a big share of what the car is worth, you may do better to sell it as it is and say so.
- Panels that need a full respray when the car is old. A fresh panel next to old paint can look different from the rest, and some buyers read that as accident damage. If the car is old and the paint is tired all over, a single new panel can stand out.
- Anything you would have to guess at. If you are not sure what a repair involves, ask for a quote first and decide afterwards. A quote is free at our shop.
- Mechanical problems and warning lights. A body shop cannot help there.
Does honesty matter more than a perfect car?
Yes. A buyer who finds a mark you did not mention will wonder what else you missed. Telling people about a dent or a scratch in the advert, with a clear photo, usually goes down better than hoping it goes unnoticed. If there has been accident damage and a repair, say so. We would never suggest hiding anything.
Your duties and the buyer's rights when you sell privately are not covered here, because they are a matter of law and are explained better elsewhere. The government's page on selling a vehicle sets out what a private seller has to do, such as telling the DVLA about the sale and giving the buyer the new keeper slip. It does not set out the buyer's rights. Citizens Advice has a page on buying a used car, which shows what buyers can expect and so what a seller may be asked about. For advice on your own sale, ring the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, whose number is on that page.
Should I repair before I sell, or sell and let the buyer decide?
Think about three things.
- The cost of the repair against what you would hope to gain. You can ask us for a price first. If the repair costs more than the effect you expect it to have, leave it.
- How long you can wait. Ask us how long a job takes when you ring, and plan it around your advert.
- How the car will be sold. A trade buyer and a private buyer look at a car differently. A private buyer often sees the whole car in a few minutes and decides on first impressions.
If you do get the repairs done, keep the paperwork or a note of what was done. A short written record of what you had repaired, and when, is something a buyer can look at.
Will an insurance claim help?
For small cosmetic marks, often not, because the repair may cost less than your excess and a claim can affect your premium. Check your policy before you decide. We have a separate page, should you claim on insurance for a scratch or dent, that explains the thinking.
Getting a price from us
Send photos of the marks on WhatsApp on 07724 146 809, ring 01342 649 362 or email info@ericraft.co.uk. If you tell us you are selling, we can say which jobs we think a buyer would notice and which you could leave. The quote is free and there is no pressure. See our contact page.
Questions people ask
Is it worth fixing scratches before selling my car?
Light scratches and scuffs that show in photos are usually worth a look, because they are cheap to put right compared with how much they stand out. Deep scratches on an old car may not be, so get a quote and decide.
Do cloudy headlights put buyers off?
They can. Cloudy lenses make a car look older and less cared for than it is, and they are a quick job to restore. A restored lens does not guarantee a sale, but it removes one thing a buyer might point at.
Should I respray a panel before I sell?
Only if the paint is damaged and the car is worth it. A new panel next to faded paint can look different from the rest of the car. If you are unsure, ask us to look at it.
Should I tell buyers about a repair?
Yes. Saying what was repaired is better than leaving a buyer to find out. For the rules on what a private seller has to do, see the government page linked above.
Can I get the quote before deciding?
Yes. Our quotes are free. Send photos and we will tell you what we think.
Sources and further reading
This page gives general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your own policy and the official pages above.