Fixing a car with frame damage is usually not worth it. Frame repairs are expensive, often incomplete, and permanently reduce the vehicle’s safety and resale value.
Reasons frame damage is not worth repairing:
- High cost: Frame straightening or replacement costs $2,000 to $10,000+
- Safety risk: A repaired frame may not protect occupants in a future collision
- Alignment issues: Frame damage causes uneven tire wear, pulling, and handling problems
- Permanent title brand: Insurance companies often declare frame-damaged cars a total loss, resulting in a salvage title
- Low resale value: Buyers and dealerships avoid vehicles with frame damage history
Minor damage to subframes or frame rails may be repairable. Severe damage (bent frame, crumpled unibody, twisted structure) typically means the car should be sold for parts or scrap.
If repair costs exceed 50% of the car’s pre-damage value, selling to a junk car buyer or salvage yard is the better financial choice.