Can a Damaged Windshield Negatively Affect Your Car's Value?

Damage to your car's windshield in any capacity can lead to further problems later. However, one thing many people might not consider is how that chip or crack can affect the value of their vehicles should they want to sell it.

Damaged windshields can represent a red flag to potential buyers. Dealerships can also offer you far less than the worth of your vehicle as a trade-in specifically because of damage to the car's windshield. A few reasons exist as to why a windshield crack or chip can lower your car's value.

Windshield Damage Lowers Aesthetic Appeal

A car with perfectly sound mechanical functions can still suffer a hit in resale or trade-in value because of superficial conditions. Every scratch, scrape, ding, or sign of physical damage will make your car look like it's worth a lot less in the eyes of dealers and private buyers. This all applies to the condition of your windshield as well.

Even a single chip or crack in the windshield can cause your car to lose value. This is even true for people who know superficial conditions don't really mean anything as far as the car's functioning is concerned.

Windshield Damage Adds Costs to Dealers

If you plan to trade your vehicle in, the dealership may want to reduce the trade in value to accommodate the cost of a new windshield. Depending on your make, model, and the dealer's calculations, that cost can equal several hundred dollars.

The dealer will have no choice but to replace the windshield. They will have a hard time selling the car with any blemish on the windshield, and won't typically take the chance.

A potential buyer who notices a damaged windshield may automatically assume the rest of the car is in disrepair in some way. That attitude can extend to every car on the lot.

In many ways, appearance is everything, and dealerships understand that. Any obvious signs of neglect, such as a damaged windshield, can lead to them offering you a far lower trade-in value. Many private buyers will also typically offer you a lower amount because they assume the vehicle suffers from neglect.

You can, and should, deal with windshield damage before you attempt to sell or trade in your vehicle. Usually, it's cheaper to deal with the windshield yourself than to take the hit on your resell price. You have a few options you can consider when it comes to windshield repair or replacement.

Contact Your Insurance Company First

The first thing you should do is check with your insurance company. Don't tell your insurer you're attempting to sell your vehicle, just check their windshield repair and replacement policy. Some insurance companies offer windshield repair services cheaply or free, depending on your coverage options.

Hire a Professional Service to Repair the Windshield

Many types of windshield damage do not require a full windshield replacement. Often, you can hire a professional service to quickly and efficiently repair a windshield. For example, a mobile windshield repair or replacement service can come to wherever you keep your car and fix your windshield issues.

Repairing or replacing your windshield before attempting to sell your car is just one small thing you can do to maintain or even increase the value of your vehicle. Sometimes, the repaired windshield can make the difference between a fair and a good valuation.

At Perfection Auto Glass, our certified auto glass technicians can repair or replace your windshield quickly and efficiently. Contact us about your windshield damage before you attempt to sell your car.