If you have decided to delve into the scary and complex realm of selling your vehicle privately, you may be faced with a multitude of questions. Ultimately, your end goal may revolve around the maximizing of profit. What do you have to do to make sure you get as much money for your used vehicle as possible? Right? So, when you notice little dinks and damages on your vehicle’s exterior (especially your windshield), you may begin to question repair.
If your windshield is damaged, should you repair it before you begin trying to sell a vehicle?
Overall, it’s a valid question. The first tip for selling anything, vehicle or not, is to make it look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Unfortunately, defining the necessity of windshield repair is impossible. It truly depends on a variety of factors.
As a car-selling website, we’ve dealt with our fair share of damaged and smashed windows (and we’ve sold a ton of them). Therefore, we are here to break it down with you. Should you repair your damaged windshield before you attempt to sell your car?
Private Sale Versus Dealership
When deciding on your windshield, it’s important to note what your preferred method of sale is going to be.
If you are planning on trading or selling your vehicle to a dealership, a damaged windshield may not be necessary to repair. At the end of the day, the dealership knows the true value of the vehicle, broken windshield or not. If they have mechanics on hand, they are going to fix up the vehicle before they sell it. A damaged windshield should not deter them from giving you the same deal for your used vehicle.
If you are planning on selling your car via private selling sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, the aspect of aesthetic comes into play. Overall, the potential buyer is going to decide their interest in your sale based on pictures. After they decide on the appearance of the car, they will come for an in-person inspection (most likely). Therefore, having any noticeable wear and tear on the upfront pictures can deter a plethora of potential customers.
It’s shallow, sure. What really matters is what’s under the hood. Right? Not exactly.
People Want to Buy Something Pretty
A survey by CarGurus found that 49% of those surveyed said they take more pride in how well their vehicle runs as opposed to aesthetics like its cleanliness or exterior appearance. Nearly two-thirds said they take a lot of pride in their car and its condition, and 30% said personal pride is the top reason they’re motivated to keep their car in good condition.
Therefore, a majority of people take pride in a car’s appearance. A majority of people want their vehicles to look good.
If your car is posted on selling sites with a crack splayed across the windshield, physical appearance drops, making a sale less likely.
Furthermore, a dirty or damaged car may give off the impression of a lack of care. A potential customer may see the windshield damage and believe you don’t care about the vehicle, leaving repairs and maintenance behind. With that, the person may leave the deal behind. If you don’t take care of the exterior, what will the mechanics of the car be like? Will the car break down from malpractice?
Remember the opposite side of the negotiation. A car is an expensive endeavor for the buyer. It’s reasonable to be deterred by unsightly appearance.
It Depends on the Car
On the other hand, some cars will sell regardless of the windshield appearance. Car enthusiasts understand that windshield and auto glass repair is a simple and inexpensive task. If the car is popular enough, you should still find an array of inquiries, regardless of the glass.
For example, Jeeps (specifically Wranglers) will always hold their resale value. The Wrangler has a 5-year residual value of 65.07%. It’s a vehicle in such high demand, it will sell with any physical flaws.
This goes for reliable cars like Toyotas and Hondas, too. If the car is in high demand, it will sell regardless of windshield damage. Therefore, the decision to repair the glass becomes one of time and money.
Is It Worth the Price?
On average, a windshield replacement costs around $200 to $400. If the damage is small enough, it can be fixed with a resin injection, costing even less than a replacement.
According to SLP Auto Glass, the key factor in determining a windshield’s repair extent is the size of the damaged area. Overall, it is on a case-by-case basis, but there are a few rules of thumb.
If you have a chip the size of a quarter or a break approximately three inches long, the glass can almost always be fixed by a resin injection. If it is any longer than that, your probability of a full replacement increase drastically. When a smaller crack continues to grow at an alarming rate, you are on your way to a full replacement.
Ultimately, it’s important to look at the car’s worth and asking price versus the cost of a windshield repair. If the cost of the repair will only be a small amount of the overall profit, it may be worth it to make sure you find buyers willing to pay the asking price.
If the asking price will not be high, the repair cost may not be worth it.
Furthermore, if you do not have the time to get the repair or just want to sell the car quickly, it may not be necessary. Though, ironically, the vehicle may sell quicker if the windshield is visually pleasing.
Will Insurance Cover It?
If your insurance will cover the cost of a windshield repair or replacement, and you are not strapped for time before selling, getting the damage fixed is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, not all insurance policies cover windshield repair.
Knowing whether or not your insurance policy covers repairs is a tough task. All policies are different. Generally, liability will not cover repairs. Collision will cover windshield damage if it happens during an accident. Comprehensive coverage should cover anything, even if the windshield was damaged by weather, theft, or personal accidents.
Consequently, if your insurance company is willing to handle the charges, why not get it fixed? It will only make the selling process easier.
Conclusion
Should you repair your broken windshield before attempting to sell your car? It depends.
If you are planning to ask for a decent amount for the car, it’s an unwanted model, or are attempting to make the process efficient, you may want to get your auto glass fixed. If insurance covers it, the repair is a no-brainer.
On the other hand, if you are not planning on getting much for the car, don’t have the extra money to fix the windshield, or are selling to a dealership repair may not be needed.
There’s always a possibility you place the car with the damaged windshield on car-selling sites and don’t get offers. If that’s the case, you can always repair the windshield and try again. It’s not the end of the world (hopefully).
Sell My Car Colorado
Time to talk about ourselves (my favorite thing to do).
Looking for an alternative for where to sell your used car? Tired of dealing with private messages and seedy dealerships? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Sell My Car Colorado will buy your used or junk car immediately. One of our qualified dealers will give you an offer. If you accept, we will come to pick the vehicle up from you. Even if it is inoperable, we will tow it free of charge. You don’t have to leave your home or office.
Furthermore, we will offer you valid and fair prices for your vehicles. We also guarantee $100 more than the competition. Plus, we sell cars, too. Regardless of your windshield status, we will buy your vehicle!
Contact us today for a free quote!