A Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with only 4,265 miles — essentially new — lost $13,594.05 in market value after a left-side collision in Suffolk County, New York. The repair cost $5,002.78. The diminished value was nearly three times that amount. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had no structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired St. Lucie Appraisal 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.
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
What New York Dodge Dealers Say About a Hellcat’s Resale Value After a Collision
We learned from these examples from the sales teams at Dodge dealerships in New York — One dealer said that even though the accident might have been minimal, the customer coming in to buy a car like that might not want it at all so you could be in the range of losing 10K–15K on the trade. Another dealer explained that, looking at the Carfax with one accident reported I can tell you it will be an automatic 20% deduction.
The opinions of six unbiased professional sales reps at recognized Dodge 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.
Appraisal Methodology: Six Unbiased Dealer Quotes
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 Dodge dealers in New York 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.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Diminished Value Case Details — Suffolk County, New York
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat 2 Door Coupe |
| Location | Suffolk County, New York |
| Mileage | 4,265 |
| Collision Type | Left Side — Disabling/Towed |
| Structural Damage | No |
| Air Bag Deployment | No |
| Repair Cost | $5,002.78 |
| LKQ / Aftermarket Parts Used | Yes — not factored into diminished value |
| Fair Market Value at Time of Loss | $76,500.00 (Average Trade-In Value) |
| Average Dealer Deduction (6 Quotes) | 17.77% |
| Diminished Value | $13,594.05 |
| Claim Type | Third-Party Inherent Diminished Value |
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the left side with no damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $5,002.78. 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 17.77%. 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 $76,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $13,594.05.
Questions and Answers: Dodge Challenger Diminished Value Claims in New York
How much diminished value did the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat lose after the collision in Suffolk County?
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat 2 Door Coupe had a fair market value of approximately $76,500.00 at the time of loss. Six unbiased Dodge dealer quotes from New York produced an average deduction of 17.77%, resulting in a diminished value of $13,594.05.
What did New York Dodge dealers say about the Hellcat’s resale value after a collision?
Sales managers at Dodge dealerships in New York were specific about the real-world market impact. One dealer stated that even though the accident might have been minimal, the customer coming in to buy a car like that might not want it at all — estimating a loss of $10,000 to $15,000 on the trade. Another dealer stated that looking at the Carfax with one accident reported, it will be an automatic 20% deduction. These are the actual outcomes a Hellcat owner faces when trading in a vehicle with prior collision history.
Why does even minor collision damage cause such significant diminished value on a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat?
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat occupies a specialized performance vehicle segment where buyers are highly selective and expect an unmarked history. A vehicle with only 4,265 miles is effectively new, and any Carfax entry — regardless of the repair outcome — signals to prospective buyers that the vehicle did not receive the careful ownership they expect at this price point. Dealers responded accordingly, with one estimating an automatic 20% deduction based on Carfax alone.
Can I make a diminished value claim in New York after a collision?
Yes. New York allows third-party inherent diminished value claims following a collision caused by another party. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company provides comprehensive diminished value appraisals throughout New York and all 50 states on a flat-fee basis. Telephone consultations are always free of charge — call 772-359-4300.
Does a low repair cost mean low diminished value on a high-performance vehicle?
Not necessarily. In this case, the repair cost was $5,002.78 — a relatively modest figure — yet the diminished value was $13,594.05, nearly three times the repair amount. On a high-value performance vehicle like the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, the market stigma attached to any prior collision history is disproportionately large relative to the cost of the repair itself. The Carfax entry, not the repair cost, is what drives buyer behavior.
Were LKQ or aftermarket parts used in this repair, and does that affect the diminished value?
LKQ (used) and/or aftermarket parts were utilized in the repair of this vehicle. However, their use was not factored into the diminished value calculation in this appraisal. It should be noted that the use of non-OEM parts in a repair can constitute an independent and additional basis for diminished value beyond the inherent stigma of the collision itself.
How does The St. Lucie Appraisal Company establish diminished value without using a formula?
Rather than relying on formulas, algorithms, or ad comparisons, the company obtains six unbiased opinions from professional sales professionals at recognized Dodge dealerships. Each dealer is provided with the vehicle’s year, make, model, mileage, pre-accident condition, color, options, date of loss, nature of the repaired damages, and repair method. Dealer opinions are based on personal knowledge and access to auction results — the same information that drives actual trade-in and wholesale pricing decisions in the market.
What does a Dodge Challenger diminished value appraisal cost in New York?
The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is $275.00. Tesla and other exotic car owners should call for rates. Payment may be made by credit card or PayPal online, or by telephone at 772-359-4300. Before making payment, email your body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net. Telephone consultations are always free of charge.
Q: Explain current case law in New York regarding diminished value. Cases such as Johnson v. Scholz affirm that case law has consistently held that “the measure of damages for injury to property resulting from negligence is the difference in the market value immediately before and immediately after the accident, or the reasonable cost of repairs necessary to restore it to its former condition, whichever is less.” This means a plaintiff can be made whole under one standard or the other and not both as sought by a claimant. Yet, even though it would seem that defendants had no obligation to compensate claimants for third-party inherent diminished value claims, insurance companies throughout The State of New York make settlements for these claims every day.
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