Fix Scratch or not?

[jerseyguy123]

I got a scratch on my hood and Maaco will fix it for $350. I have used them before with good results. I may be trading my 2019 Passat.
I wonder what the dealer will say about the scratch?

 

[dishdude]

A scratch won't impact trade in a penny...

 

[Skippy722]

Fix it with one of those touch up pens if the scratch isn’t horrific. They might do a good job, if they respray it though you risk it not matching and that’ll show up far worse than using the touch up pen idea.

I traded my 300 in with this, they knocked off about exactly what I was quoted from a couple of body shops I got quotes from on the trade.

 

[Andrew1972]

A scratch won't impact trade in a penny...

2019 VW will impact the trade value without a doubt. This is not a 7 year old vehicle.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I would fix it as inexpensively as possible. Many scratches can either be touched up with a paint pen or brush dipped in good automotive paint with a perfect match. Usually a good buffing will eliminate most of the scratch depending how bad it really is. If you are trading the car in it more than likely will make very little difference because dealers tend to only give you trade in value anyway. There are many buyers that really wouldn't even care about a scratch. The more picky buyers will buy a mint condition 2019 Passat because for the most part a car that new should look almost brand new. I don't believe in fixing up a vehicle to trade it in. If Maaco fixes your scratch they won't say anything because the scratch shouldn't be visible.

 

[RooflessVW]

Let's see it

 

[miden851]

a scratch on a 3y old vehicle probably won't impact much if any your trade in; at that age it is probably all calculated in as wear and tear

 

[Stinger63]

a scratch on a 3y old vehicle probably won't impact much if any your trade in; at that age it is probably all calculated in as wear and tear

I remember the owner of a car dealership on the phone selling a car wholesale
He described a scratch: “it’s about 36 inches long and 12 inches deep”

 

[CKN]

2019 VW will impact the trade value without a doubt. This is not a 7 year old vehicle.

Not normally-not especially in this market.

 

[RooflessVW]

Not normally-not especially in this market.

Ain't that the truth. All the used cars are junk for too much money, at least in my area.

 

[dishdude]

2019 VW will impact the trade value without a doubt. This is not a 7 year old vehicle.

3 year old cars have scratches. If you want perfection, you pony up the bucks and buy new. What's shown in post #3 is damage that will impact value, but a "scratch" will be normal wear and tear on any used vehicle.

Now if this scratch is his ex keying "cheating b*" into the hood, that's a different story. I am picturing a single scratch 6"-10" long.

 

[Nick1994]

I’d rather have a scratch on my car than a paint job from Maaco

 

[SatinSilver]

Watch the Chris Fixx scratch repair video on YouTube. He bought a vandalized car at auction and did a good job with the repair. Probably about $50 using his method.

 

[RooflessVW]

I’d rather have a scratch on my car than a paint job from Maaco

Big facts