One Porsche dealer didn’t mince words: with the frame damaged, they didn’t even want the car at any price. A Porsche Macan S AWD SUV with 46,123 miles was involved in a rear collision in Ventura County, California that caused $13,651.03 in damage — severe enough to disable and tow the vehicle and leave it with structural damage, though the air bags did not deploy. 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 structural repair history cost the owner.
The result: an average diminished value deduction of 45.00%, or $15,750.00 off the vehicle’s pre-loss Fair Market Value of approximately $35,000.00.
How the Diminished Value Was Determined
To reach that figure, St. Lucie Appraisal contacted six Porsche dealerships across Southern California and asked their sales professionals to weigh in on the vehicle’s specific repair history. The opinions of six unbiased professional sales representatives at recognized Porsche dealerships were based on the same case file: year, make, model, mileage, pre-accident condition, 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 Porsche market and access to auction results.
The estimates left little ambiguity about how frame damage is treated on a car like this. One sales representative said the vehicle would have to go to auction given the frame damage, putting the range at 30%-50% off. Another representative was blunter still, saying there wasn’t much more to add — with the frame compromised, the dealership simply didn’t want the car at all, and estimated the owner was looking at a 50% loss in trade-in value regardless. Averaged across all six dealerships, the deduction came out to 45.00%.
These opinions reflect what actual Porsche dealerships indicated they would deduct from the vehicle’s trade-in value after reviewing its repair history.
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.
California Licensed Auto Adjuster
Why Repaired Vehicles Lose Value
This case illustrates a pattern St. Lucie Appraisal sees consistently, especially with high-end vehicles carrying frame damage: 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 Diminished Value Report from a California licensed auto adjuster is central to a successful claim.
As part of this appraisal, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company contacted Porsche dealerships serving Southern California 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: Disabling collision damage to the rear, with damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost: $13,651.03.
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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.
Would a dealer really refuse a properly repaired, frame-damaged vehicle?
According to the dealers in this case, yes. One representative was direct about it: once frame damage is part of a vehicle’s history, some dealerships won’t take it in trade at all, regardless of repair quality, and instead price it as though it’s headed straight to auction.
Why did dealer estimates cluster in the 30%-50% range?
Frame damage is one of the more consistently penalized categories across brands. Both dealers in this case pointed to the frame specifically, rather than the repair cost or cosmetic appearance, as the primary driver of their estimates.
How is diminished value calculated in an appraisal like this one?
St. Lucie Appraisal doesn’t use formulas or online valuation shortcuts. Instead, we 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 below, or by calling 772-359-4300. Before making your payment, email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net.
I drive a Tesla or another exotic vehicle — does this process still apply?
Yes, as this case shows, Porsche and other exotic vehicles are appraised the same way, though rates for the report can differ. Tesla and other exotic car owners should call for specific rates.
Is this only for Ventura County vehicles?
This case was based in Ventura County, California, and St. Lucie Appraisal serves Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, and the rest of California.
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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