[anilp]

Yes, but I fix only the mechanical parts like suspension, tyres, etc. Unless it's major cosmetic damage like a dent, I don't get small scratches fixed. Since my cars are usually around 10 years+ by the time they are sold, the resale price is low as it is.

[RGK]

Voted Yes

This is more of personal satisfaction.

I feel it is not fair to sell a car worth a few lakhs and expect the buyer to go into a tinker/paint shop on the next day. I have sold all my previous cars by fixing all the scratches and dents and with no major mechanical problems for at least 5k km.

But, bought my Ecosport with gear oil leakage and boot actuator problems as I know the cost of repair.

[manishk123]

In Mumbai it’s mostly car dealers who buy the car from you, spruce it up and then sell for a higher margin. So there’s really no point doing it up as it’s not really going to add much value. It’s very rare that you get an actual user picking up the car.

[N33raj]

I have never sold my cars to dealers. I prefer to sell them direct to a buyer. And before the sale, the car goes through a full service and any cosmetic issues are also taken care of. I go the insurance way and yes it does make a difference to the final bill i have to foot (i do not see the point of having to pay out of pocket to have a NCB discount).

Why do i do this? This might be the first car the buyer is going to put money down on. What better than to have a car that is in good condition with no looming issues? It also means i now know one more person!

All issues with the car are discussed before i hand over the keys for a test drive, including any looming major repairs/replacements/service milestones. All prospective buyers who come and immediately get down to haggling are told politely to sod off.

The payoff? I get to sell my car to someone who will take care of it well and i usually get the price i ask for.

[sparky@home]

I voted "yes". As a matter of fact, i normally get all dents and scratched attended ,as i feel uneasy when i have it. So i would not like to sell my car with a lot scratches and dents.

[PrasannaDhana]

Minor dents and scratches, No!

Because I don't leave the dents unattended, scratches are anyways omnipresent.

Minor/major mechanical/operational issues - definitely yes to repair, before selling.

[Carpainter]

All our cars were either sold to used car dealers or got exchanged so no point doing a cosmetic touch up. But if I ever sell my car to an individual, I wouldn't repair small scratches as they are inevitable on our roads and a potential buyer will know that. Usually I don't leave big dents unattended in my cars so I don't think I'll sell a car with a big dent on it. Also if mechanically there is any issue, I'll definitely be to be transparent to the buyer.

[GeeTee TSI]

Voted No from the perspective of fixing the dents only before a sale. Why not own your car with a good cosmetic appearance with periodic detailing and selective repainting where it is required for the sake of corrosion protection.

It will do our conscience a lot of good if a professional interior cleaning is done just before a sale (not to mention the first impression it conveys upon opening the door!)

[PVS]

I would fix dents /scratches to the maximum extent possible, and attend to repairs if any before selling off my car. I will also be transparent about the service history from the ASC and proof of repairs at the FNG, along with Wheel alignment records, so that the prospective buyer can be rest assured that he or she is buying a well maintained.

[architect_santo]

I would prefer not to, it would seem like the dealers task. I assume dealers fix/ mask all issues and pose as if all glitters. And for the other reason that its a task. I’d always keep the car mechanically sound, so the buyer can make the choice accordingly.

[pradeepkc]

Voted no. I usually like to keep my car in a good condition mechanically at least. But it's hard to avoid minor dents and scratches. That just comes with the age of the vehicle. But I do mention every dent and repair that I am aware of and discount it from the price. I leave it up to the new owner to decide.

[parth.jain]

If there are minor scratches or dents I'll prefer not to get them sorted out.
For dents, if it can be dry dented out, that's the best thing to do. If it's a major dent I'll prefer to get it repaired and repainted otherwise the resale value is effected.
If the scratches are minor, I'll leave it as it is. The reason being the scratches can't be repaired, the whole panel has to be repainted. CARS24 or other similar organisations use an equipment to measure the paint thickness and if the panel is repainted, it'll show in the reading of that equipment. Then it could be considered as accidental/repainted car which will further reduce the value of my car.

[BoneCollector]

The question asks only for fixing up car's dents and scratches, in that case my answer is NO.

Had the question been about fixing up the car's mechanicals, my answer would have been YES.

If I've to sell off a car to an individual, I would like it to be mechanically perfect, dents and scratches can be left depending upon the situation and on mutual understanding. If I've to hand it over to a dealer for exchange, it would again be in perfect running condition as it would have been used till that day (our Santro was exchanged in perfect condition) but nothing for dents and scratches. A dealer cannot ask to get dents and scratches removed, a car on road almost always gets a scratch every now and then.

[knan]

I always keep my vehicle (car or 2 wheeler) in top-condition. No, I am not talking about scratches or detailing here. Mechanically perfect, but it will have scratches or very minute dents. When I sell it, they go as-is, on top condition.

As someone said before, it may be someones' first car. So, I also give advice saying who can maintain it, and who cannot. If they agree, they are welcome to take it.

My Dad and my former teacher (now, my mentor) take it a step forward. They service and keep their respective vehicles in such a condition, that buyers hardly say no.

[TAHR]

Voted 'yes'.

I have done this ritually for all the bikes and cars that I have sold, irrespective of whether it was to a used-vehicle dealer or an individual - known or not. But it's very difficult to say what exactly qualifies for a mend job. You need to approach it on a case-by-case basis.

For me, a complete mechanical service and wash is mandatory before the handover. Other niggles such as dents, scratches and breakage depend on the prominence of the defect and the cost involved. If the effort is going to be too involved, you might as well be upfront about it with the buyer, resale price be damned.

I believe in doing this because it raises the feel-good factor for a buyer (honestly, would you like to take possession of something that is in a run-down condition when you've paid a price, any price, for it?). Besides, prospective buyers are also likely to be a bit more generous when they see something in a good condition.

I guess the trick is to do just enough to make the vehicle road-worthy and presentable but not so much that it leaves a big dent on the cost-benefit axis, that is, the amount you spend on the refurbishment versus the price you are offered.