Blog
What Are My Options When Dealing With A Hail-Damaged Car?
Driving in the rain and being caught in a hail storm are two very different scenarios. Forewarned is forearmed if you have an insurance weather app alerting you to imminent hail, but if you happen to be out on the open road - with no bridge, offramp or parking lot in sight where you can take cover - you will have to mentally prepare yourself for the aftermath of hail damage caused to your car.
A hectic storm - with significant-sized hail stones - can have a devastating effect on your vehicle; denting the exterior, ruining the paint job, breaking windows and shattering the windscreen.
If this unfortunate event is the current situation you find yourself in, then you might need to brace yourself for the fact that, instead of repairing it, selling your hail-damaged car might be the only viable option.
Hail damage - size matters
The size of the hail stones and the force at which they hit your car will determine the type of damage experienced. Small hail stones may cause minor dents and chip the paintwork while larger hailstones (larger than 2.5cm in diameter) will play havoc with your car’s exterior panels, including the windscreen and even cause mechanical or engine damage.
A hail storm can cause the following types of damage to your vehicle:
- Cosmetic damage with paint intact - Little dents can be removed by a time-consuming process called paintless dent removal where the dents are ‘massaged’ out using small rods and suction.
- Cosmetic damage with scratched paint - Your vehicle’s factory paint finish has been compromised and the car will need to be repainted or some of the panels will need to be replaced which could escalate to a huge repair quote.
- Severe damage with paint intact - Sometimes the bonnet of your car is so severely damaged that there is mechanical damage to the engine. Depending on the quote, you may decide to get the bonnet repaired with the paintless repair dent removal process and have the engine issues fixed by a reputable mechanic.
- Severe damage with scratched paint - When there is excessive damage to the exterior of the car as well as to the engine and other mechanical parts, your car is likely to earn a ‘salvage’ title.
Selling vs. Repairing Your Hail Damaged Car: What's Best for You?
If there is only minor damage to the exterior of your vehicle, you may be tempted to think it is only cosmetic, that you can live with it and that repairing it is not worth the trouble. This is short-term thinking as even minor hail damage can be devastating to your vehicle’s resale value. The cost of having minor dents professionally removed may be worth considering.
As soon as there are multiple spots of significant hail damage on a car, it can become difficult to repair. Insurance companies are likely to write such vehicles off due to the cost of replacing all the panels. If you are not insured, this is where the cost of repairs is likely to exceed the current market value of the vehicle, making it uneconomical to repair. Your best solution in this scenario is to sell your hail-damaged car for the best price.
In the case of a ‘salvage title,’ repairing a car and getting it relabelled as ‘rebuilt’ is a tedious and extremely expensive undertaking. Selling your hail-damaged vehicle is likely to be your most lucrative way forward.
Steps to Take to Sell a Hail-Damaged Car
If you’ve decided that repairing your hail-damaged car isn’t worth the cost, selling it can be a quick and practical way to recover value. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
1. Assess the extent of the damage
Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles and note any visible dents, cracked windows, or paint damage. This helps you get an accurate idea of your car’s current condition and resale potential.
2. Gather your documents
Keep your vehicle registration papers, ID, and proof of ownership ready. Having these in order speeds up the selling process and builds trust with the buyer.
3. Get a realistic valuation
Use online car valuation tools or request a quote from a reputable damaged-car buyer. Be honest about the extent of hail damage — transparency ensures you get a fair offer and avoids delays later.
4. Compare offers
It’s wise to get more than one offer. Prices can vary depending on the buyer’s network, the make and model of your car, and whether the vehicle is still drivable.
5. Choose a trusted buyer
Select a buyer who offers cash for damaged cars, covers towing costs, and handles the paperwork for you. This saves time, stress, and hidden expenses.
6. Finalise the sale and hand over the car
Once you’ve agreed on a price, confirm the payment method and ensure all documents are signed before handing over the keys. A professional buyer will make this step quick and straightforward.
Tip: Many sellers are surprised by how much easier and faster it is to sell a hail-damaged car for cash compared to arranging repairs or dealing with insurers. You’ll get value out of a difficult situation — without the long wait or financial strain.
‘Sell your damaged car’ comes to the rescue!
Once you have decided that the hassle, cost and logistics of repairing your hail-damaged car are not worth it, you are in the right space to leverage the online services of a reputable and professional platform that will offer you a competitive cash price but will also tow your vehicle (if necessary) and handle all the paperwork.
No matter what type of damage your vehicle has sustained - we are here to step in the gap and smooth the way to getting you cash in your pocket.
People also asked:
Q: How much does it cost to repair hail damage in South Africa?
A: Repair costs depend on how extensive the damage is and the type of repair needed. For minor dents and no paint damage, paintless dent removal (PDR) can cost anywhere from R500 to R2,000 per panel. However, if your car needs repainting or panel replacement, the costs can easily rise to R20,000 or more — especially for larger vehicles or premium models. This is why many South Africans choose to sell a hail-damaged car instead of repairing it, particularly when the repair quote comes close to or exceeds the car’s market value.
Q: Why is hail damage so expensive to repair?
A: Hail repair costs are high because the process is labour-intensive and often involves specialised tools and techniques to restore the bodywork. Each dent must be carefully removed without damaging the surrounding paint, which takes time and skill. When the paint is scratched or cracked, entire panels often need to be repainted or replaced to maintain structural integrity and aesthetic value. Add to that the cost of labour, materials, and potentially replacing glass or mechanical components, and it becomes clear why hail repairs can quickly add up.
Q: Does hail damage always require a new paint job?
A: Not always. If the paint is still intact, paintless dent removal is often sufficient to restore your car’s appearance without repainting. However, if the hailstones were large enough to chip or crack the paint, a new coat is necessary to protect the metal from rust and corrosion. In those cases, repainting can become one of the most expensive parts of the repair — another reason many owners prefer to sell their hail-damaged car for cash rather than invest in repainting multiple panels.
FAQs About Selling a Hail-Damaged Car in South Africa
Q: Should I repair my hail-damaged car before selling it?
A: It depends on how severe the damage is and whether your car is insured. For minor dents, small cosmetic repairs might slightly increase your resale value, but for severe hail damage — especially when the repair costs exceed the car’s value — fixing it is rarely worth it. Most buyers, including Sell Your Damaged Car, specialise in buying vehicles as-is, saving you the time and money of costly repairs while still offering a fair market price.
Q: What paperwork is needed to sell a hail-damaged car?
A: You’ll need your original vehicle registration certificate, a valid ID, and, if applicable, proof of ownership or settlement letter from your bank if the vehicle is financed. A signed change of ownership (NCO) form is also required by the traffic department. Reputable buyers like Sell Your Damaged Car assist with all the paperwork, including deregistration if the car is written off or classified as salvage.
Q: Can a hail-damaged car still be registered and sold legally?
A: Yes — as long as the vehicle still has a valid VIN and registration, you can legally sell it in South Africa. However, if your insurer has declared it a “Code 2 (used)” or “Code 3 (rebuilt/salvage)” vehicle, you’ll need to disclose this to the buyer. Cars with hail damage that doesn’t affect safety or structure can remain registered, while severely damaged ones may need clearance from the SAPS and the licensing authority before resale.
Q: Are there specific buyers for hail-damaged cars?
A: Absolutely. Traditional dealerships often avoid damaged cars, but there’s a niche market of professional damaged-vehicle buyers who specialise in assessing, towing, and reselling these cars — either for parts or refurbishment. Sell Your Damaged Car is one of South Africa’s leading buyers in this category, offering quick online valuations, same-day cash offers, and free nationwide collection for hail-damaged, accident-damaged, or non-running vehicles.