Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This took place in Chicago, Illinois. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Hyundai Sonata Sport with 10,750 miles that was involved in a Front End Collision that caused $12,153.44 in damage. The car was disabled/towed and 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 Hyundai dealerships in Illinois- A dealer will grudgingly take a structurally-damaged car in trade but it would bring more than 30% less in trade-in value. Also, that dealers might be likely to advise the vehicle owner to keep the car since it will take such a huge loss and also that a Hyundai with frame damage would go straight to auction after buying it from the vehicle owner for as little as half the value.
The opinions of unbiased experts form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available. We obtain six of them which absolutely puts the diminished value figure prepared by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company in the ballpark. This is what the car owner will experience in the real world.
Dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given information specific to this vehicle including year, make, model, mileage, 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 Hyundai dealers in Illinois in order 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: Disabling collision damages to the Front including damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $12,153.44. LKQ (used) and/or aftermarket parts were not utilized in the repair/not factored in to the diminished value.
The average of six (6) deductions was 34.58%. 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 $17,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $6,051.50.
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.
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