Safety comes before appearance

If the car is in an unsafe place after the accident, leaking fluids, or has a damaged battery or deployed airbags, do not try to start it simply to take a photo. Follow the instructions of emergency services and your insurer first.

Selling the car must not interfere with the insurance claim. Before transferring it, confirm what still needs to be completed in the claim process.

Calculate the full repair cost

An estimate should cover more than visible body panels. Include paintwork, geometry measurement, safety systems, lights, cooling components, suspension, diagnostics, transport and a contingency.

Then compare the likely post-repair value. If the difference is small, you may be taking on significant risk and time for little additional return.

When an as-is offer is especially useful

This comparison is useful when the car is non-running, several systems are damaged, there is no repair estimate, parts are difficult to source or you do not want to organise a lengthy repair.

The offer does not commit you to selling. It gives you a concrete figure to compare with the repair option.

Which photos to provide

We recommend an overall view from all four corners, close-ups of each damaged area, the interior and airbags, the dashboard and the wheel positions.

If the front is damaged, show whether the bonnet closes and whether any fluid is leaking. Photograph in daylight and do not crop out adjacent panels.

  • Whole-car view
  • Impact area from close up and farther away
  • Airbags and interior
  • All wheels and their position
  • Access to the car

Information needed for safe collection

Tell us whether the car starts, rolls, brakes, can be put in neutral and whether the steering unlocks. Also state whether any wheels are locked, whether you have the keys and whether there is enough space on site.

Do not use unsuitable towing equipment simply to move the car somewhere more convenient. It is safer to arrange collection according to the actual condition.

Record the damage in the contract

The written contract should state known accident damage and major faults. This protects both parties from a later dispute over whether the condition was disclosed.

Keep the photos, contract, proof of payment and insurance-claim documents, where applicable.