I posted here a week ago concerning a wreck my wife had. Anyway she is fine but the car has sustained about $10,000 in front end damage. My question is what other owners have found in any diminished value when either selling or trading-in their car. We were thinking of trading in (now have a 2006 msc) for a 2007. Have other owners found that when they sold or traded their car, that they have taken major additional loss or is any trade-in mainly dependent on the quarlity of the repair. Thanks, Richard

 

Depends on your location and the insurance company involved. Sorry, I didn't follow your previous post, who was at fault? If the other party, you will have a much easier time getting comp'd for diminished value. If your company is paying, it will depend on the wording of your policy. With $10k damage, you certainly have some structural elements involved, which are considered "frame" on a unibody vehicle. Hence, you will have to decide whether or not to divulge this info to a prospective buyer/dealer. The quality of repair will be a determining factor in this.
Has the insurance company given any indication whether or not they will consider total loss? Sounds like you are ~40% of value in damages, so far; there will be more damage found once repairs are started.

3cocinas, who in a previous lifetime spent 15 years dealing with collision damaged cars.

 

Make sure you pick a shop you feel can do the work correctly. Don't let the insurance steer you to the lowest bidder. Monitor the work being done and ask a lot of questions. As for trading or keeping, that's up to you.
I also have experience with collision repair, 17 years and counting.

 

Our 'new to us' 04 black MINI was side swiped in a parking lot. it sustained moderate damage to the passenger door and rear quarter panel. Our closest MINI dealer is in Omaha, some 200 miles from Des Moines. Will the repair work at a dealership offset the inconvenience of making this trip twice? This car is in excellent condition mechanically and body-wise.