When your car has been involved in an accident and sent to the shop for repairs, you expect it to be restored to its original condition. However, even after repairs, one crucial aspect often goes unnoticed: repair-related diminished value (DV).
This is the loss in your vehicle’s market value due to visible signs of poor repair work—such as mismatched paint or poorly aligned body panels. If you’ve received your car back from the shop and noticed these issues, it’s time to call a professional car appraisal company.
Consider This: A White Jeep Compass with Mismatched Paint
Let’s take the example of a white Jeep Compass that was repaired after a collision. Upon returning from the shop, the vehicle shows a clear visual issue: the rear door’s paint is a noticeably different shade than the front door. This is a classic case of poor repair work where the shop failed to match the paint correctly. While the car may run fine and the damage may have been repaired, the mismatched paint is a glaring issue.
This paint discrepancy can significantly reduce the car’s resale value, as it signals to potential buyers that the car was not restored to the highest standard. The mismatched paint is a clear indicator that the vehicle has been in an accident, and despite being repaired, the quality of the work wasn’t up to par. As a result, this vehicle will be worth far less than one that has been repaired properly.
Why You Should Call a Professional Car Appraisal Company
Professional car appraisal companies specialize in assessing diminished value—including repair-related DV. When your vehicle is returned from the shop with visible repair flaws like mismatched paint, it’s no longer worth what it was before the accident. A professional car appraiser can help you quantify that loss in value.
In the case of the white Jeep Compass, the mismatched paint could lead to a significant reduction in the car’s market value, as potential buyers will likely notice the flaw and may hesitate to purchase the vehicle. A professional car appraiser can evaluate how much value this poor repair job has cost you and help you pursue a cash settlement to compensate for the diminished value.
Don’t Let Poor Repairs Cost You
A vehicle with visible repair flaws—such as mismatched paint or poor bodywork—is often worth far less than one that was repaired properly. Even if the car is mechanically sound, the visible imperfections can significantly impact its appeal and resale value. Potential buyers will see these flaws and assume the repairs were done poorly overall.
This is why it’s essential to have a professional car appraiser assess the repair-related diminished value of your vehicle. With a professional appraisal, you’ll get a detailed report that reflects the true loss in value due to the poor repairs. This can provide the necessary evidence to pursue a fair cash settlement either through the insurance company or directly with the repair shop.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you’ve received a vehicle with visible repair issues, such as mismatched paint, don’t let that cost you money. Call a professional car appraisal company to assess the diminished value and determine how much the poor repair job has affected your vehicle’s worth.
Armed with an accurate appraisal report, you can pursue a cash settlement to make up for that financial loss. Don’t accept the diminished value of your car—take action and ensure you’re compensated for the flaws that were introduced during the repair process.