News & Advice

Yes, you can trade in a car with hail damage, but it’s important to be aware that the damage will likely affect the car’s trade-in value. Dealerships consider the vehicle’s condition when determining trade-in values, and hail damage will be seen as a significant negative. After all, the dealer will either need to invest in repairs or sell the car at a lower price due to the damage.

A few things to think about:

• Estimate the Cost of Repairs: Get a professional to assess the hail damage and give you an estimate for repairs. This can help you determine whether it’s worth fixing the damage before trading in the car.
• Be Transparent: Always be upfront about the damage to potential dealerships. They will likely discover it during their inspection, and hiding it could negatively impact negotiations.
• Shop Around: Don’t accept the first offer you receive. Different dealers may offer different trade-in values for your damaged car, so it’s a good idea to get quotes from multiple dealers.
• Consider Selling Privately: Depending on the severity of the hail damage, you might get a better deal selling the car privately. Some buyers might be willing to overlook cosmetic hail damage for a good deal.
• Insurance Claim: If you have comprehensive car insurance, it might cover the cost of repairs for hail damage. Check your policy and consider making a claim.

While it’s possible to trade in a car with hail damage, the value of your car will be significantly impacted by the extent of the damage.