Appraisal guide · Compare
Does a diminished value appraisal need an in-person inspection?
Usually not. Inherent diminished value is a question about the market, and it is answered with your repair invoice, photos and comparable vehicles. An in-person inspection adds something mainly when the quality of the repair is in doubt and the problem cannot be seen in photos or records.
By the Autoloss team · Reviewed by Monica Fisher · Published
What the repair records show
The final repair invoice is the most detailed account of the damage that exists. Line by line it shows:
- Which panels and parts were repaired and which were replaced
- Whether structural or frame components were involved, including any measuring or pulling
- Whether parts were original-equipment, aftermarket or recycled
- Airbag, suspension and mechanical work
- How much of the vehicle was refinished
These are the facts a buyer or dealer reacts to, and they are what drives the adjustment for severity. Looking at a repaired car cannot tell an appraiser most of them, because good repairs hide what was done.
What photos show
Photos of the damage before repair show where the vehicle was hit and how hard. Photos after repair show the finish, panel alignment and overall condition. Our how it works page lists the photos to take.
Where the value comes from
The valuation itself is market research: comparable vehicles of the same year, make, model and trim, with similar mileage and equipment, with and without accident history. That work is done with market data whether or not anyone has seen the vehicle in person.
When an inspection adds something
- Suspected poor repairs. Paint thickness, structural measurements and hidden corrosion protection can only be checked on the vehicle. A post-repair inspection by a qualified shop documents these.
- Records are missing. If there is no invoice and few photos, the vehicle itself becomes the main evidence.
- Unusual vehicles. Heavily modified, restored or collector vehicles where condition and originality decide the value.
- A court asks for it. In litigation, the other side may question a report on this point. Your attorney will advise.
If a repair problem is found, raise it with the shop and the insurer that paid for the repair. The three types of diminished value explains how repair-related loss is handled.
How Autoloss works
Our appraisers prepare reports from your repair order, photographs and records, for clients in every state. A physical inspection is not normally required, and you are welcome to come to our office if need be. If your records leave a question open, we will tell you what is missing during the claim review.
Common questions
Will an insurer reject a report because nobody inspected the car?
An insurer can raise any objection, but the valuation rests on the repair records and market data, which the report sets out. Insurers’ own valuations are commonly prepared from records as well.
What if I no longer have the vehicle?
An appraisal can still be prepared if you have the repair invoice, photos and vehicle details. Gather them before you sell if you can.
Who does a post-repair inspection?
A qualified body shop or inspector that was not involved in the repair. It is a separate service from a diminished value appraisal.
Keep reading
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Using a diminished value appraisal in small claims court
When it fits, what to bring, and what to ask the clerk first.
Not sure whether an appraisal will help?
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report. We help from start to finish, including a custom demand letter, and our support staff is a phone call away throughout the process.