Will a Chipped or Cracked Windshield Affect My Car’s Resale Value?

Will a Chipped or Cracked Windshield Affect My

Car’s Resale Value?

The time has come: you’re ready to sell your vehicle. Now it’s time to decide what (if anything) needs to be repaired before you put it on the market. As you’re giving your car the once over, you notice some chips in your windshield—are they worth fixing? Over the lifetime of most vehicles, some small chips and cracks are inevitable. However, replacing it could help you get a better price for your vehicle. Before you make a decision, here are some things to consider. 

Why You Should Consider Repairing Your Windshield

There are several reasons why you might want to have your windshield repaired before you sell your car. First, cracks and chips in the windshield will lower your car’s resale value. Whoever purchases your car will need to take on the cost of repairs—so they’ll likely want to subtract that cost from your asking price. This can make negotiations tricky in a private sale, and it will likely be harder to sell your vehicle. If you choose to go through a dealership, the cost of repairs will lower their trade-in or cash offer. 

Insurance might be another way to replace your windshield. Depending on your policy, insurance may cover all or some of the cost of repairs or replacement. If your policy covers your windshield, it’s definitely worth taking advantage of if you’d like to get the best price for your vehicle. 

On the whole, repairing your windshield is often a good idea, especially if the damage is noticeable. Your car will be easier to sell, and you’ll likely recoup the repair costs in the sale price. 

Why You Might Not Want to Repair Your Windshield

Although there are many cases where repairing your windshield is obviously the best choice, it all comes down to your unique circumstances. For example, if money is tight and insurance or warranties aren’t available to help you cover the costs, you may need to take a loss on the sale price. 

If the damage is extremely minor, it may not be worth fixing. However, it’s still your responsibility to disclose any damage you’re aware of to the buyer. A private buyer may not care about a minor chip or crack, but there’s always a chance they’ll want the sale price reduced. However, minor damage shouldn’t be enough to make it difficult to sell your car. 

You should also take the value of your vehicle into account. For example, if you’re selling a 2-year-old supercar with low mileage, most buyers would likely find any damage unacceptable. If you’re selling a worn clunker marketed as a vehicle that needs work for $500 or less, windshield damage may not be an issue. More than likely, your car falls in between these two extremes. 

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Ultimately, you’ll need to weigh all the factors to decide whether it’s worth repairing your windshield—but in most cases, you’re best off getting it fixed, even if you need a full replacement. A flawless windshield will help you get the most money for your car unless the vehicle is in such poor condition that damage to the windshield doesn’t matter. 

If you decide to have your windshield repaired, contact Lucky Dog Auto Glass. Locally owned and operated in Kent, WA, we offer complete auto glass repair, including windshield repairs, replacement, and ADAS calibration. We even help with insurance claims! Contact us today at (253) 569-9403 to get a free estimate or schedule an appointment. 

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