Options for Damaged Vehicles
Life happens. Accidents occur, floods sweep through, and mechanical failures strike at the worst times. If you're left with a damaged car in Brisbane, you might think it's worthless. The good news is that's rarely true.
Types of Damage We See
Different types of damage affect a car's value differently:
- Accident damage: Can range from minor dents to write-offs. Even severely damaged vehicles have value in parts and scrap metal.
- Flood damage: Brisbane's weather occasionally causes flooding. Water-damaged vehicles often look fine but have hidden electrical and mechanical issues.
- Mechanical failure: Engine or transmission problems can make a car too expensive to repair but still valuable for parts.
- Fire damage: Usually reduces a car to scrap value, but the metal is still recyclable.
- Hail damage: Common in Brisbane's storm season. Often cosmetic, these cars can still be valuable.
Your Options
When dealing with a damaged car, you have several choices:
- Repair and sell: If the repair cost is less than the increase in value, this might make sense.
- Sell as-is: Many buyers, including us, purchase damaged vehicles for parts and recycling.
- Part out yourself: Time-consuming but potentially profitable if you know what you're doing.
- Insurance claim: If you're insured and the damage is covered, this is usually the best first step.
What Affects Damaged Car Values
Even in its damaged state, your car's value depends on:
- Make and model (popular vehicles have more parts demand)
- Age and condition before damage
- Extent and type of damage
- Current scrap metal prices
- Availability of similar parts in the market
Don't assume your damaged car is worthless. Get a quote—you might be pleasantly surprised.
