If a car is in an accident, and the repair shop restored it to new condition (no bent frame, new parts, paint, airbag, etc.), why does it still lose value in as a trade in, if it is otherwise in great condition, with low miles?
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Part of it is that the repair shop will generally use the cheapest, most generic replacement parts possible to fix it. Usually low quality Chinese garbage. You’re never getting the same car back.
If you had the choice between a new car and a two day old car that had been in a significant accident with 5 k worth of damage what would you pick ?
The reality is most body shops are “good enough” hack-jobs. Crappy aftermarket parts used. Painting environment not even close to as good as factory. Clips missing/broken. Wiring not routed correctly. I’m a red seal tech in Canada, and most repairs are thrown together by less than qualified personnel.
The problem is that there are a lot of cars that have not been completely restored but are being misrepresented as new or great condition. The loss of value represents the risk you are taking of buying a lemon. Of course, risks work both ways and you could get a steal.
Buying a used car is definitely the most optimal way to spend your money, but it’s also the least optimal way to spend your time. Comes down to what is more valuable to the buyer, time or money.
Because it never is restored to new.
For example, the original paint is applied and baked on at temperatures that would destroy other parts of the vehicle, so the paint for repairs is not the same as the original.
Hands down an automobile is the worst investment you will ever make. The second you drive it out of the showroom it goes down in value.
I’m gonna answer with a counter question. Take car x with 20000 miles. And take accident car y with 20000 miles both are exact the same pristine condition. Same color same extra’s everything is the same and you are able to choose between the two of them and both are exact the same price even though car y has been in an accident. Which one would you pick??
Because you’re describing an impossible scenario. No one can restore a wrecked vehicle to 100% “new condition,” period.
Same reason a girl would chose someone who a guy who wasnt on any porn movies over a guy that was.
They can be free of problems, but you know they’ve banged some rear ends.
Thanks to this people, here in Bulgaria are making good money. They buy cheap vehicles that have been in some kind of a small incident from Canada and USA, import them, fix them and sell with about 80-100% profit.
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