# How to sell a car with a damaged body? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** civic, honda\ **Created:** [December 24, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226 "2009-12-24T17:15:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/1 "2009-12-24T17:15:52Z")
I have a 2001 Honda Civic 2D Coupe. The front bumper has a dent, the front windshield is shattered, the hood does not close completely, and there a are a few scratches on the 2 doors. Any advice for the best way to sell this car? I don’t have the money to fix it, but it runs great. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/2 "2009-12-24T17:51:33Z")
Those stickers that say “OUCH” look pretty cute but they have probably been overdone ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/3 "2009-12-24T17:55:25Z")
As-Is. I’d be inclined to spend the $125 or whatever to have the windshield replaced, try to get the hood to latch properly, and then post an ad in the local paper. My guess is you’ll easily recoup these small expendatures in the resale. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/4 "2009-12-24T19:04:57Z")
It looks like the car was in an accident. Won’t insurance cover some of it? ---
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/5 "2009-12-24T20:22:44Z")
Unfortunately I only have liability, so my insurance won’t cover it ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/6 "2009-12-24T20:23:50Z")
Thanks for the advice. I’ll look into it. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/7 "2009-12-24T20:54:30Z")
List it on craigslist '2001 Civic, needs work but runs great. repairable or parts car. I have title. Buyer must pick up and pay cash. Sold “as is”. $XXX or best offer. ---
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/8 "2009-12-24T21:23:39Z")
Thank you. This is excellent. I will try this for sure. Happy holidays! ---
**Author:** ![SonofSpermcube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SonofSpermcube](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SonofSpermcube)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/9 "2009-12-24T22:11:56Z")
Body panels should be cheap for that car, and since it sounds like everything will bolt on, you should be able to at least get the car straight by yourself (except for maybe the windshield). Even without paint it should be worth doing. ---
**Author:** ![SonofSpermcube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SonofSpermcube](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SonofSpermcube)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/10 "2009-12-24T22:12:19Z")
Note: the number of digits here is probably correct. ---
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/11 "2009-12-24T22:45:32Z")
Do you mean you think it’s worth under $1,000? Please let me know what you think. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/12 "2009-12-25T00:29:18Z")
For every dollar you put in it at this point, you will get 3 back…(up to a point). At LEAST replace the windshield (shop around, prices vary greatly) and get the hood to close properly. A visit to a small body shop could actually make you some money, not cost you money…With body work, it’s the PAINT and paint prep that costs the big money. So skip the paint… ---
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/13 "2009-12-25T02:36:15Z")
Thanks for the tips Caddyman! ---
**Author:** ![SonofSpermcube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SonofSpermcube](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SonofSpermcube)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 11:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/14 "2009-12-25T11:06:27Z")
In non-drivable condition (and if the windshield is smashed, it isn’t) yes, if it as bad as it sounds it probably is. It would be worth more if it’s an SI. Fix the windshield and every part that is cheap to fix. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 11:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/15 "2009-12-25T11:18:25Z")
Unfortunately I only have liability, so my insurance won’t cover it ☹ Maybe maybe not. Give you insurance company a call, they may cover the windscreen. I doubt if they will cover anything else. ---
**Author:** ![SonofSpermcube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SonofSpermcube](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SonofSpermcube)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/16 "2009-12-25T11:48:07Z")
There are ways to do paint cheaply, but they involve a lot of work: [http://www.rickwrench.com/index79.htm](http://www.rickwrench.com/index79.htm) Also, that would mean painting the whole car. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/17 "2009-12-25T15:09:11Z")
I agree. Cars sell much better when the body is in the best shape and you have to decide the trade off in cost now. It’s always cheaper to maintain the body integrety, barring accident during the life of the car than to fix jus tbefore the sale. It’s obvious to the buyer and a sign he/she is getting a good buy. So on your next car, occationally consider resale value DURING your ownership years, and the questions you have now will take care of themselves. ---
**Author:** ![kespiau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kespiau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kespiau)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-sell-a-car-with-a-damaged-body/41226/18 "2009-12-25T19:00:12Z")
I’ve definitely learned with this car the importance of keeping the body in good shape, rather than fixing it up just for a sale. Thanks for the input and happy holidays!