Damage Assessment Checklist Before Selling Car - A South African Guide

Overview

Before you request a quote, a short inspection and good photos will make offers more accurate and speed up sale completion. Use this checklist to identify visible damage, mechanical faults, and paperwork items. Prepared sellers get clearer, more transparent responses and fewer follow-up questions.

When to sell vs repair

Deciding whether to repair or sell depends on repair cost, remaining market value and how soon you need cash. If repair estimates exceed a meaningful portion of market value, selling as-is is often the better option - particularly for non-running or written-off vehicles.

Quick decision checklist

• Get at least one repair estimate from a reputable workshop (ask for itemised costs).
• Compare the repair cost to the vehicle's estimated market value in South Africa (use R currency estimates).
• If repairs are >40-60% of market value, consider selling for parts or salvage instead of repairing.
• Factor in downtime, arranging transport and safety when the vehicle is non-running.

Damage assessment checklist (what to inspect)

Walk the vehicle and record these items. Accurate notes and photos reduce guesswork during valuation.

Exterior & body

• Photograph all sides, close-ups of dents, panel gaps, windscreen cracks and corrosion.
• Note whether airbags deployed or warning lights are visible on the dashboard.
• Record missing parts (wheels, lights, bumpers) and whether doors/bonnet boot open normally.

Mechanical & drivetrain

• Does the car start? Any unusual noises, smoke or fluid leaks?
• Check steering, brakes and transmission behaviour if drivable; otherwise note as non-running.
• List recent service history or known mechanical faults and include receipts where available.

Interior & electronics

• Photograph seats, airbags, dashboard damage, infotainment and odometer reading.
• Note water damage, smells or mould (important for flood-damaged vehicles).

For more on what we buy and the types of damage accepted, see our Sell Damaged Cars page and learn about the service on our About / How it works page.

How the process works (when you’re ready)

Once you complete your damage assessment checklist and photos, submit details through the online form. The typical steps are: upload photos and vehicle details, receive an offer based on condition, accept if suitable, then we arrange towing and paperwork. Documenting damage accurately speeds up the offer and reduces follow-up questions.

Example submission checklist

• Make, model, year and VIN/Chassis number
• Clear photos (front, rear, both sides, engine bay, interior, close-ups of damage)
• Odometer reading and service history notes
• Any finance details or insurance claim status

Legal & paperwork in South Africa

Make sure you have the vehicle registration document (if available) and your ID. If the vehicle is under finance, inform the financier - you may need a settlement figure. We can handle paperwork such as deregistration and transfer admin where applicable, but sellers must disclose finance encumbrances up front.

Key SA-specific notes

• Accident reporting: if required, ensure police reports or insurer documentation are available.
• Deregistration and transfer: ask about deregistration handling when you accept an offer.
• Vehicles under finance: disclose the balance; the final payout process varies by financier.

Tips to maximise your offer

• Provide clear photos and an honest description; transparency builds trust and reduces lowball follow-ups.
• Include receipts for recent maintenance - documented servicing can improve offers by showing the vehicle was cared for.
• Remove personal items and ensure the vehicle is accessible for inspection or collection.
• If the vehicle is drivable and safe, consider moving it to a secure, well-lit area for photos.

For owners of non-running cars, our Sell Non-Running Car page explains documentation and collection specifics, including free towing across metros like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. For general service information visit our homepage.

What happens after collection

After you accept an offer and collection is scheduled, the buyer completes paperwork (transfer or deregistration where applicable), arranges free towing and releases payment. Expect payment timing to be confirmed in writing; most legitimate buyers process payment promptly after collection and verification.

Practical South Africa examples

Example: A Cape Town owner with a non-running sedan and a damaged front end who documents photos, provides a service history and discloses a small finance balance normally receives a clearer offer and quicker payout than a comparable seller with missing paperwork. Estimates and offers vary by region and salvage demand; amounts below are illustrative ranges only.

• Minor repair scenarios: repairs R3,000-R10,000 may be worthwhile if the market value exceeds R40,000 (estimate).
• Major structural or flood damage: offers are typically closer to salvage/parts value; repair is often uneconomic.

Sources

• South African Police Service - official site for reporting road incidents
• Department of Transport South Africa - vehicle registration and regulatory information
• Automobile Association (AA) South Africa - practical motoring advice and market context