Even at under 5,000 miles, a bad Carfax entry cost this Jeep nearly a third of its value. A Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo SUV with 4,830 miles was involved in a left front collision in Boston, Massachusetts that caused $8,564.56 in damage. The vehicle stayed drivable and the air bags never deployed, but the impact left structural damage that followed the vehicle onto its repair history. After the owner filed a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company was retained to determine exactly how much that repair history cost the owner.
The result: an average diminished value deduction of 31.25%, or $8,593.75 off the vehicle’s pre-loss Fair Market Value of approximately $27,500.00.
How the Diminished Value Was Determined
To reach that figure, St. Lucie Appraisal contacted six Jeep dealerships across Massachusetts and asked their sales professionals to weigh in on the vehicle’s specific repair history. Dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given the same case file: year, make, model, mileage, color, factory options, date of loss, the nature of the repaired damage, and how the repairs were carried out. Dealers were told the vehicle had been properly repaired and were asked to base their opinions on personal knowledge of the Jeep market and access to auction results.
The estimates focused heavily on how a documented Carfax history changes a dealer’s approach to a trade-in. One sales representative explained that a car with frame damage typically goes to auction at most dealerships — some may resell it on the lot, but most avoid the liability, and if it is resold, it goes for considerably less. That representative put the typical loss at 30%-40% once frame damage appears on the accident report. Another representative said a Jeep with frame damage usually sells at wholesale, but their dealership would still take it as a trade — with the owner likely taking a hit of 30% or more because of the Carfax listing. Averaged across all six dealerships, the deduction came out to 31.25%.
The opinions of six unbiased professionals form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available, and having six of them validates the diminished value figure prepared by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company as what the car owner will actually experience in the real world.
No LKQ (used) or aftermarket parts were used in the repair, so none were factored into the diminished value calculation — a detail that matters, since aftermarket parts can sometimes deepen a diminished value deduction beyond what collision history alone would cause.
Why Repaired Vehicles Lose Value
This case illustrates a pattern St. Lucie Appraisal sees consistently, especially when structural damage is involved: once a vehicle has been in a collision and repaired, buyers generally pay less for it than they would for an identical vehicle with a clean history — regardless of how well the repair was performed. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person, which is why a comprehensive, independently prepared Diminished Value Report is central to a successful claim.
As part of this appraisal, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company contacted Jeep dealerships serving Massachusetts and neighboring markets to determine how this specific repaired vehicle would be valued in the wholesale marketplace, comparing its condition before and after the collision.
Description of damage: Non-disabling collision damage to the left front, including damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost: $8,564.56.
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS
SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
Questions & Answers About Automobile Diminished Value
What is diminished value?
Diminished value is the difference between what a vehicle was worth before an accident and what it’s worth after being repaired. Even a flawless repair typically doesn’t restore a vehicle to its pre-accident market value, because the collision now shows up in its history.
Does very low mileage protect a nearly-new SUV from diminished value?
Not when structural damage is involved. This Jeep had only 4,830 miles at the time of loss, yet still lost over 31% of its value, because dealers were pricing in what the Carfax report would show a future buyer, not the odometer reading.
Would a dealer really accept a frame-damaged trade-in?
Some will, according to the dealers in this case, but typically only at a significant discount. One dealer explained they’d take the Jeep as a trade despite the frame damage, while still expecting the owner to absorb a 30% or greater hit because of the vehicle’s history report.
How is diminished value calculated in an appraisal like this one?
St. Lucie Appraisal doesn’t use formulas or online valuation shortcuts. Instead, appraisers gather independent opinions from multiple dealerships familiar with the vehicle’s make and local market, then average those figures to arrive at a supportable number.
What does a Diminished Value Report cost, and how do I order one?
An Automobile Diminished Value Report is $275.00. You can pay by credit card or PayPal using the payment button, or by calling 772-359-4300. Before making your payment, email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net. Tesla and other exotic car owners should call for specific rates.
Is this only for Boston vehicles?
This case was based in Boston, Massachusetts, and St. Lucie Appraisal serves Amherst, Arlington, Attleboro, Barnstable, Beverly, Billerica, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Cambridge, Chicopee, Fall River, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Methuen, New Bedford, Newton, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Somerville, Springfield, Taunton, Waltham, Weymouth, Worcester, and the rest of Massachusetts.
Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
After making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net
TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester Counties. auto appraiser near 02124, auto appraiser near 02125, auto appraiser near 02127, auto appraiser near 02128, auto appraiser near 02130, auto appraiser near 02131, auto appraiser near 02135, auto appraiser near 02136, auto appraiser near 02151
This is an Open Education resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
MASSACHUSETTSDIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company