Does Rust Affect The Value Of Your Car?
Many things impact the value of your vehicle, from its age and mileage to its overall condition. One factor that impacts a car’s condition is the presence of rust. Most metal is prone to rusting, including the materials used to make your car’s frame and panels. But does rust impact your car’s value? What if it’s just a small amount of rust? How much does it cost to remove rust damage? And is it even worth it to try to restore a rusted car? Keep reading to get answers to all of these questions and more from our experts in auto parts and salvage in Florida.
Does Rust Impact Your Car’s Value?
Rust causes metals to corrode and weaken so that it can represent a cosmetic issue for a vehicle and a structural one. This can be a serious concern for any potential car buyer, and that concern will be reflected in a drop in sale price. The real question is exactly how much the rust will impact the resale value. The short answer here is yes; anything that impacts your car’s overall condition will impact your car’s value.
How Much of an Impact Will It Have?
The answer to this question is much more complex, as it depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage and the exact location of the rust. Appraising your car as a trade-in is generally a good idea to determine how much the rusting will impact the overall resale value. Minor rust damage typically doesn’t have too much of an impact—perhaps a few hundred dollars—but it can deter potential buyers, as they might worry that there’s more severe rusting going on that they can’t see. A thorough inspection is the best way to address these concerns and get a better idea of your car’s value. If you have severe rusting, you can expect it to decrease your car’s value by a couple of thousand dollars.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair It?
Again, this depends on the location and extent of the rusting. Some parts are more expensive to replace, so naturally, rust in the wrong place will set you back a significant amount of money. Removing rust from your car will cost between $50 and $2,500. Where will your rust damage fall in this very large range? Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
- A minor rust repair generally refers to something that’s less than 2 inches in diameter and has not perforated the metal. Minor rust repairs are about $50 to $100 to repair. A rust treatment kit can even repair some minor rust spots at home.
- If the rust spot is larger than described above but still hasn’t created any holes in the metal, then it would be considered a “moderate” repair. Moderate rust removal will cost between $200 and $300 on average. A rust kit might make a difference with this type of damage, but you’ll also likely need a filling compound to get a good finish. This level of work is often best to leave to a professional.
- Major rust repairs often cost $2,000 or more. Dealing with major rust damage means cutting away sections rusted through and welding them to a matching panel. Then, it will need to be refinished to match the surrounding area. This is extensive work that requires in-depth knowledge and specialized tools, so never attempt this kind of work on your own.
Of course, as already mentioned, this can change depending on the exact location of the rust. In some cases, even minor rust damage in the wrong area can mean replacing an expensive part, and you could still have a bill in the thousands.
Is It Worth Repairing?
When determining whether or not you should even both with repairing rust on your vehicle, there are three different factors that you need to consider and weigh together to make your decision:
- Cost of the repair – We’ve given you a general guideline for the cost of repairing rust above. However, it’s a good idea to have the car inspected and get an accurate quote for the cost of repairs before making this decision.
- Car’s value – Next, you’ll need to consider the car’s resale value when selling it both with and without the repairs done. Would the increase in resale value offset the cost of the repairs? Or would you be spending money without receiving many benefits from the investment?
- Danger to the driver – In some cases, rust can be severe enough to be considered a safety hazard. Extensive rusting in the undercarriage, on fuel tank supports, or around the exhaust system all compromise vehicle safety.
If a car is a hazard without the repairs, but conducting the repairs costs more than the car is worth, then the rust would be considered “totaled.” On the other hand, if conducting the repairs offers enough of a resale value boost to offset the cost, then it’s worth doing so you can put more money in your pocket. When you weigh these three factors, you can decide what to do with your rusted car.
What Are Your Other Options?
So, what do you do if your car is totaled and it’s not worth conducting the repairs? Your best option is to sell the vehicle for scrap. While the rust can still impact the scrap value of your car, we can provide you with a fair and accurate quote on your car based on its existing value. We’ll pay you in cash, tow your car for free and deal with properly disposing of it via our salvage yard.
At U Pull & Save, we allow car enthusiasts to pull and buy parts from a junkyard for a low price to conduct their own repairs. When all of your car’s usable parts are stripped, we’ll sell the viable metal materials to a metal recycler and dispose of rusted metal that can’t be used. If you have a rusted car you can’t sell to another driver and it’s not worth repairing, contact U Pull & Save today to get a quote on your junk car.
