Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This article details the diminished value appraisal of a Toyota Camry XLE 4 Cylinder Sedan with 18,146 miles that was involved in a rear collision in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania that caused $4,601.88 in damage. The vehicle was not disabled/towed, had structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired an independent auto appraiser and made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value. Once a car is repaired after a collision, it is worth less, often much less depending on the severity of the damage. Regardless of how well the repairer did his job, nobody will pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person. Obtaining a comprehensive Diminished Value Report is key.
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We learned from these examples from sales managers at Toyota dealerships in Eastern Pennsylvania – One dealer said that the frame damage is on the Carfax and because of that it would surely lower the value maybe up to 50%. Another dealer explained that the mileage is low but still if you have two cars that are alike on the sales parking lot and one of them has a bad Carfax, quite naturally the customer is going to choose the car that does not. So with that they are at less looking at between 20% – 40% less in trade.
The opinions of six unbiased professional sales managers at recognized Toyota dealerships form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available. We obtain several of them to validate the diminished value report prepared by AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM. This is what the car owner will experience in the real world.
The six dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given information specific to this vehicle including year, make, model, mileage, pre-accident condition, color, options, any other pertinent equipment, date of loss as well as the nature of the repaired damages and the manner in which the vehicle was repaired. Dealer opinions are based on personal knowledge and access to auction results. Dealers were advised that this vehicle was properly repaired.
We contacted several Toyota dealers in Eastern Pennsylvania to establish how these repairs and the resultant repair history would impact this vehicle’s Fair Market Value (FMV). Dealers were provided with an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition both prior and subsequent to repairs.
Description of damage: Non-disabling collision damages to the rear with damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $4,601.88. LKQ (used) and/or aftermarket parts were utilized in the repair/not factored in to the diminished value.
The average of six (6) deductions was 42.50%. This is the percentage of Diminished Value to be taken from the FMV at the time of loss.
We established that the above captioned vehicle had a Fair Market Value (Average Trade-In Value) of approximately $18,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $7,631.25
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