Hail damage - how much do dents decrease car value?

**Tiny2000** · 05-23-2009 08:01 PM

So a few weekends ago we had a freakish hail storm early Saturday morning. I was at work, but it hailed ice-cube size chunks for about 10 minutes, but only in my neighbourhood.

I finally got around to washing the car and found numerous little dents all over. Surprisingly the hood and roof aren't that bad, maybe the metal is thicker in those places. but the top parts of the door and quarter panels which are angled towards the sky are dented. the chrome surrounding the windows are particularly affected.

So my insurance deductible is $500. Do you guys think it is worth fixing? If i leave it how much would this decrease the overall car value. Finally, I recall there being a "hail damage" category in Carfax, so I don't want that to be flagged if someone looks up the VIN number. Thanks for the input

**headshok2002** · 05-23-2009 09:15 PM

Yeek... call one of those mobile dent guys. They chase hailstorms!

**sakimano** · 05-24-2009 06:20 PM

Sorry to hear about that.

Strange because when I heard that hail storm was coming, I put both of our cars in the garage. I'm in Oakville, but areas near Hamilton got golf ball sized hail. Fortunately it didn't hit where I live anyway, but that day I was thinking...'what would happen if this wrecked your car...insurance?'

hope it works out. I'd call my insurance company to find out but personally I'd estimate the damage at around $1000-1500. Just think of all the guys who look into buying blackout window trim for their cars...it's EXPENSIVE! so they just paint.

**Capt.Canuck** · 05-25-2009 07:08 AM

Do dents decrease car value? Of course they do.

Would you pay full FMV for a used vehicle with dents? I wouldn't. I'd expect it to be discounted accordingly.

I also wouldn't want to drive around with the car looking like that, but that's just me.

**reapersa4** · 05-25-2009 09:16 AM

Your car isn't worth anything anyways, audi's depreciation is like a boulder in a lake.. How do you think there are so many little idiots with a4's now... Especially on AZ..

**fazda** · 05-25-2009 10:58 AM

even if it doesn't decrease your value alot, it would still piss me off enough looking at it everyday enough to want to have it fixed regardless.

**Tiny2000** · 05-25-2009 04:56 PM

OK i've heard some guys have had individual dents fixed for $100-200 EACH. With the number of serious dents numbering in the dozens, it totally makes sense to fix this thing with insurance. Driving around with dents really doesn't bother me, i could honestly live with it. My pet peeve is dirty cars - both are brilliant black and i hate it when they're not clean. (Although i like the mud splattered look, kind of like i just raced in rally)

And yes, of course I know Audis depreciate. Show me one car that doesn't? You don't buy one of these suckers thinking that you'll make money on the deal. That goes without saying and applies to any such car. Both cars are probably worth only a third of their new price.

My query really bases on the situation where i am forced to sell the car or liquidate it. Will the cost/benefit work in favour of fixing? it sounds like it.

EDIT: Just went to the shop for the insurance estimate, the lady said she had over 200 claims from this last hail storm!!! Damage claim is averaging $3000 to 6000. Mine is probably somewhere in between. It is defiinitely worth fixing.

**Tiny2000** · 05-25-2009 04:58 PM

PS Sakimano - congrats on the new avant - i read about the news in the S4 forum. What colour did you choose? Why don't you wait on chipping it, get used to the normal engine, then when you're bored of it, then you'll actually appreciate the chip?

**ducati** · 05-26-2009 07:22 PM

I was wondering how much did the B7 2.0T loaded automatic sold brand new in 2006?..non sport version

**McLaren** · 05-27-2009 08:06 AM

Sorry to hear about your misfortune martin, but if you don't notice it, then just leave it, as the next hail storm can cause more damage again.

For me, it would bug me everday looking at it, so I would pay the deductable and get it fixed, or like someone suggested go to those paintless dent removal guys and see if they can get it done without having it go on insurance record.

**sakimano** · 05-27-2009 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Tiny2000

PS Sakimano - congrats on the new avant - i read about the news in the S4 forum. What colour did you choose? Why don't you wait on chipping it, get used to the normal engine, then when you're bored of it, then you'll actually appreciate the chip?

hey, thanks

Ibis white is the colour...car is the Premium package with Tech and something else that I totally forget. Doesn't have sport pkg although in hindsight that's a great package to get for the seats alone. I'm going to get different wheels anyway and may go coilovers for ride height. Good point about APR. I also don't even know where to get it done, so I'll definitely take a few weeks. Our other car is reasonably fast so it should keep me happy for now!

p.s. you have a V8 S4 with Milltek? I'm going to need to hear that...!

**Tiny2000** · 05-28-2009 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by McLaren

Sorry to hear about your misfortune martin, but if you don't notice it, then just leave it, as the next hail storm can cause more damage again.

For me, it would bug me everday looking at it, so I would pay the deductable and get it fixed, or like someone suggested go to those paintless dent removal guys and see if they can get it done without having it go on insurance record.

Yeah, i agree. I would leave it alone, but knocking $3000 off the value of the car is just insanity. I'll have it fixed, but the earliest they can do it is mid-July! Man, that is good business for them -> 200 claims x $3000 = $600000 revenue!!!! And it is paintless dent repair, so there is probably no overhead involved.

Did you ever find any S4 side blades or mirrors ever?

Originally Posted by sakimano

hey, thanks

Ibis white is the colour...car is the Premium package with Tech and something else that I totally forget. Doesn't have sport pkg although in hindsight that's a great package to get for the seats alone. I'm going to get different wheels anyway and may go coilovers for ride height. Good point about APR. I also don't even know where to get it done, so I'll definitely take a few weeks. Our other car is reasonably fast so it should keep me happy for now!

p.s. you have a V8 S4 with Milltek? I'm going to need to hear that...!

White is a great colour. Get some tint!

You can come by anytime to compare cars. The Milltek is pretty mean sounding, definitely an improvement over stock. Gains are probably minimal, 10-15hp max.

But, man is it fun to give it gas and let it rev when you're in the underground parking. You can FEEL the V8 power.