Sell Your Damaged Car in Hexham | Quick Valuation + Same-Day Collection
Damaged car in Hexham? Accident damage, dents, scrapes, rust, kerbed alloys, faded paint, high mileage? You can still sell it. The question isn't whether we'll buy it—it's how much you'll get, and whether the quote you receive upfront matches what you're paid at collection.
We buy damaged cars across Hexham and the Tyne Valley with photo-based valuations that price damage in BEFORE collection. No surprises, no inspection-day quote drops. If we say £800 based on photos, you get £800 when we collect. This guide explains what affects damaged car value and how to get an honest quote.
Why Hexham sellers choose us for damaged cars:
- Photo-based quotes that hold—damage priced in upfront, no collection-day surprises
- Free home collection—accident damage, non-runners, SORN, we collect from Hexham/Tyne Valley
- Instant payment—bank transfer or cash on pickup, no waiting
- All damage types—cosmetic, structural, mechanical, high miles, poor history
- Honest valuation—we tell you if repair is cheaper than selling
Types of Damage We Buy in Hexham
1. Accident damage & collision impact
Minor: Bumper scrapes, dented panels, cracked lights, scraped doors
Moderate: Front/rear end crumple, bonnet damage, boot won't close, multiple panel impact
Severe: Frame damage, airbag deployment, structural crumple, suspension damage, won't drive straight
Valuation impact: Minor cosmetic = 10-20% reduction. Structural damage = 40-60% reduction or scrap value only.
2. Cosmetic damage & bodywork issues
Examples: Door dings, car park scrapes, keyed paintwork, faded clear coat, stone chips, lacquer peel, kerbed alloys, cracked bumpers, rust spots
Valuation impact: Usually 5-15% reduction depending on severity and panel count. Rust through sills/arches = bigger hit (structural concern).
3. Mechanical damage & warning lights
Examples: Head gasket failure, timing belt snapped, gearbox issues, clutch slipping, turbo failure, DPF blocked, engine management light, ABS light, suspension knocks
Valuation impact: Depends on repair cost vs car value. £1,200 clutch on £3,000 car = 30-40% reduction. Engine failure on £2,000 car = scrap value.
4. High mileage & wear
Examples: 100k+ miles, worn seats, tired interior, paintwork dull, alloys kerbed/corroded, multiple stone chips, exhaust blowing
Valuation impact: 15-25% reduction vs same car with 60k miles. Over 150k miles = bigger drop unless full service history proves it.
5. Insurance write-offs (Cat S, Cat N)
Cat S (Structural damage): Repaired but had structural damage—reduces value 30-50% vs clean car
Cat N (Non-structural): Cosmetic/electrical damage repaired—reduces value 20-30%
Cat A/B (scrap only): Cannot be repaired or sold for road use—scrap value only (weight + salvageable parts).
What Affects Damaged Car Value?
Trade buyers price damaged cars based on three factors: repair cost, salvage value, and resale potential.
Factor 1: Is repair economically viable?
Repair cost vs car value rule: If repair cost exceeds 50-60% of car's clean value, it's economically a write-off.
Example scenarios:
- 2018 Ford Fiesta, clean value £8,000: Front bumper + bonnet damage = £1,200 repair. Still viable (15% repair cost). Trade offer: £6,000-£6,500.
- 2015 Vauxhall Corsa, clean value £5,000: Suspension damage + alignment = £800 repair. Marginal (16% repair cost). Trade offer: £3,500-£4,000.
- 2010 VW Golf, clean value £4,000: Engine overheating + head gasket = £1,800 repair. Uneconomic (45% repair cost). Trade offer: £1,200-£1,500 (parts value).
Factor 2: Salvage value (parts + scrap)
Even if repair isn't viable, there's value in:
- Working parts: Engine, gearbox, doors, lights, interior trim, wheels, electronics
- High-demand parts: Alloys, xenon headlights, leather seats, sat-nav units, airbags (if not deployed)
- Scrap metal weight: Average car = 1,200-1,500kg. Current scrap steel ~£150-£200/tonne = £180-£300 base value
Factor 3: Resale potential (age, make, model, spec)
Popular makes (Ford, VW, Vauxhall, BMW, Audi) with good specs hold better value even when damaged because parts demand is higher. Rare or unpopular models drop to scrap value faster.
Factor 4: Service history & documentation
Full service history + V5C + MOT certificate = adds confidence, slight value boost (£100-£300 depending on car)
No history, no V5C, no keys = reduces value (authentication concerns, DVLA delays)
Why Photo-Based Quotes Prevent Collection-Day Surprises
The biggest complaint we hear from Hexham customers who tried branch models first: "Online quote said £3,500, inspector offered £2,800 after finding damage."
Why online quotes drop at branches:
- Online valuations assume "clean" condition—they don't know about damage unless you disclose it upfront
- Inspection reveals undisclosed damage—scratches, dents, tyres, service gaps, warning lights
- You're already at the branch—sunk cost (30-minute drive, time off work), so you accept lower offer
How we price damage upfront:
Step 1: You send 5-8 photos showing ALL damage (every dent, scrape, panel issue, tyre wear, interior condition)
Step 2: We price the car AS-IS based on those photos—damage already factored into the quote
Step 3: At collection, if condition matches photos, quote holds. No surprises.
Photo checklist for accurate valuation: Front, rear, both sides, interior dashboard, odometer, damage close-ups (every dent/scrape), tyres (tread depth), wheels (kerbing), under bonnet (if mechanical issue). More photos = more accurate quote = fewer surprises.
What if damage is worse than photos show?
Rare, but it happens. If we arrive and find undisclosed damage (rust through sills, frame damage, seized engine not mentioned), we'll renegotiate. But if you're honest in photos, the quote holds.
Our Damaged Car Collection Process (Hexham)
Step 1: Send photos + describe damage
Registration, mileage, postcode, and photos of all damage. Be honest—describe the issue accurately (e.g., "front bumper cracked, offside door dented, 2 tyres under 3mm, clutch slipping").
Step 2: Get instant valuation
We respond within 1-2 hours with realistic trade offer based on AS-IS condition. No inflated quotes—what we say is what you get.
Step 3: Accept offer, arrange collection
Same-day collection available across Hexham, Corbridge, Haydon Bridge, Allendale. Non-runners? We winch or lift depending on access.
Step 4: Instant payment on pickup
Bank transfer (money in account before car leaves) or cash. DVLA paperwork completed at your door.
Which route for damaged cars?
- Light damage, still driveable: Use Sell your car route for direct purchase
- Heavy damage, MOT failure, non-runner: Use Scrap my car route for scrap valuation
- Not sure? Send photos and we'll recommend the best option
Should You Repair Before Selling?
Sometimes yes, usually no. Here's the math:
When repair makes sense:
- Low-cost fixes that unlock big value: £200 bumper repair on £6,000 car might add £800 to sale price = £600 net gain
- MOT advisories preventing sale: £150 brake pads fix allows MOT pass, converts £1,000 non-runner into £2,500 running car = £1,200 net gain
When repair doesn't make sense:
- High-cost fixes with marginal return: £1,200 head gasket repair on £3,000 car might add £1,000 to sale price = £200 net loss
- Cosmetic repairs: £400 paintwork on £4,000 car might add £300 to sale price = £100 net loss (traders can repair cheaper than you)
Rule of thumb: If repair cost is more than 30% of the value it adds, sell as-is. Traders have access to cheaper parts and labour—they can repair for less than you can.
Common Damaged Car Questions (Hexham)
Will insurance write-offs sell for less?
Yes. Cat S = 30-50% reduction vs clean car. Cat N = 20-30% reduction. Cat A/B = scrap value only. Always disclose write-off status.
Can I sell without repairing airbag deployment?
Yes. Airbag repairs cost £1,000-£2,000. Traders factor this into valuation. Sell as-is unless car is high-value and repair makes economic sense.
Do you buy cars with rust?
Yes, but depends on severity. Surface rust = minor value impact. Rust through sills/subframe = structural concern, bigger reduction. Send photos of rust areas.
What about high mileage + damage combined?
Still buyable. Example: 2012 Ford Focus, 145k miles, bumper damage, tired interior = £800-£1,200 offer (parts value + scrap). Be realistic about expectations.
Ready for Honest Valuation?
Get photo-based quote (no surprises at collection)
Send photos of all damage. We price AS-IS. Quote holds at collection. Same-day pickup across Hexham + Tyne Valley.