Would you buy a car that has been keyed and hasn't been repainted?

[Deactivated] on 24/08/2014 - 17:43
Last edited 24/08/2014 - 17:47

A friend of mine is interested in a second hand car but has a long visible key scratch (I'm guessing was inflicted by someone else). She has test driven the car runs smoothly and has been passed as road worthy. Would you get the car?

Is there a risk that some deeper parts of the scratch would rust underneath?

If that is the case, should she request the owner of the car to send it in for panel beating/spray painting or negotiate a reduced price to cover for doing the paint job at her own nominated mechanic.

Automotive

Comments

  • Shadow54 on 24/08/2014 - 17:48
    +2

    All depends on the price! The key scratch can be fixed quite easily and you can even DIY with products from Autobahn or Super Cheap. If you can save a big fistful of $$ because of the scratch (everything else being A1) then you've done well. Rust is usually not a problem with modern cars in the same way as it used to be with Japanese cars a few decades ago……..

  • c64 on 24/08/2014 - 18:04
    +2

    if you took a photo to a smash repairer they might be able to give you a ball park figure.

    personally i would try to haggle down the price because of the scratch but then just leave it or prime or touch it up. chances are you might have a crash later on. depends on how much you are concerned about the appearance of the scratch i suppose.

  • ozhunter on 24/08/2014 - 19:40

    The seller might already factored the scratch into the price. I doubt the seller would go get it fixed. Just try and negotiate a cheaper price and see what he says.

  • RockyRaccoon on 24/08/2014 - 20:42
    +1

    It may rust depending if it has been scratched deep enough to expose bare metal.

    If its not that deep, then rusting is unlikely and also unlikely to cause any structural issues.

    Also it will depend on where the car is being kept. Close to Ocean beaches will increase the risk.

    Like Shadow says you can buy touch up paint, which will stop any rust, but self application will show if you dont have some skill in blending in the painting.

    As for price Ozhunter is probably right in that the vendor has factored this into the price. BUT maybe they are also waiting for a counter offer and will reduce the price. Only one way to find out - ask.

    Then your friend can decide if the price is worth the issue of not having the car look "perfect" Check the redbook etc car prices for the make and model and see if this scratch is being allowed for.

  • odyssi on 24/08/2014 - 20:51

    I recently had my car keyed (#@#!@#!!!) I'm in the process of getting it repaired and from what I've been told it's not that big of a job and not overly expensive.

    It wouldn't detract me from buying a car - though if I was the seller I would probably have it repaired first.

    I would suggest your friend should get an idea of what it would cost to repair, at least then they will know what they are up for and can negotiate with the owner with transparency.

  • nubzy on 24/08/2014 - 22:06
    +1

    if it is a good car and the price is right then just get the door resprayed, cost about $200 or thereabouts

  • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2014 - 07:23
    +2

    I was once a Panelbeater… It could end up costing more than you think. Which panels are scratched?, how many panels are scratched?, how deep are the scratches?, are there dents as well?, how close to the next panel are the scratches? as the neighbouring panels may need to have the colour blended, What colour and type is the paint? Metallics and pearls will be harder (= more expensive) and some colours are harder to colour match (surprisingly white is the colour I saw most painters struggle with). Take some good close up photos and go get a proper quote, or better still, take the car to get a quote. For the right price, I would buy a damaged car. Good luck.

  • srhardy on 25/08/2014 - 07:46

    Took my new car into a car repair guy and all he did was put on some cut'n'polish and buff for 5+ minutes and like magic the whole thing just disappeared and it was long and deep… never gave it another thought and could have easily done it myself

  • Speckled Jim on 25/08/2014 - 09:40

    I bought a 3 year old car with key scratches once, mainly because the price was right! I owned it for 6 years until it was stolen, rebirthed and found by my sister at a used car yard…

    Well, the lazy buggers didn't even respray it. Still had my touch-ups plainly visible to cover the scratches. In my case, it was a solid colour and I wasn't fussed about blocking and wet-sanding it.

    • UncommonName on 31/08/2014 - 05:30

      What happened next? Did you get the car back?

      • Speckled Jim on 31/08/2014 - 10:25

        The car was somewhat degraded. Most of the good stereo was gone, as were the rare and bespoke accessories. They swapped the engine with an imported one to get around the engine number.

        Despite this, I wanted it back and was willing to buy it from the insurance co. Was unlucky in dealing with knobs who could only advise "Keep an eye on the auctions". That was their policy IIRC.

        • UncommonName on 31/08/2014 - 19:25

          Why would you need to buy it if this was your car? You could have taken legal action, right? Or was it difficult to prove that this car belonged to you without the original engine?

        • Speckled Jim on 31/08/2014 - 22:47

          No no no. It was discovered, reported and seized from the car yard about 18 months after it was stolen. The insurance claim was settled over a year prior. The recovered car was theirs to do with as they pleased.

          Obviously they're after top-dollar; there's no way they recovered 100% of what I received, but I sometimes wonder what it fetched at auction.

        • UncommonName on 31/08/2014 - 22:49

          @mcmonte:

          Ah got it. good to know at least the insurance paid out.

  • m0tyrider on 25/08/2014 - 14:17

    What car is it?

    Long story short though - I would buy it. But I would repair it myself. Maybe a different story if you have to pay a pro to do it.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2014 - 22:59

      2006 Audi A4.

      • RockyRaccoon on 26/08/2014 - 08:47
        +1

        Then it better be real cheap, as its resale would be adversely affected if not fixed.

        Cars like that are sold for prestige vs the run of the mill Camry Corolla Commodore, which have only a small residual value, and are expected by future buyers as family cars to have car park dings as standard.

        That is when buying a $3K car your expectations are much lower than buying a $12K car

  • roderigo on 26/08/2014 - 19:00

    I wouldn't touch it.

    Reason is that whatever discount you get now doesn't matter. you will have to give the same or more discount when you are finished with the car.

    Right now the scratch is their problem….if you buy it the scratch becomes your problem

  • Euphemistic on 29/08/2014 - 08:57

    Buy it, and then hope you get hit on that same panel so that the insurance will cover repairs.

    Seriously though, can you live with it? Can you fix it? Would you pay someone to fix it? For me if it was otherwise the right car for me (price, kms, options, colour etc) and there were no others available I'd buy it. 'Tis but a scratch'

  • colaman on 29/08/2014 - 20:32
    +2

    If it is on one side of the car, you should ask for a matching one on the other side

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join