DIY scratch hacks can double repair bills
Auto Trader has warned drivers to be careful of using DIY scratch hacks trending on social media.
There are more than 12,000 online searches for ‘car scratch repair’ every month, but Auto Trader has warned that many of the fixes can actually do more damage.
Some of the most damaging fixes include toothpaste, which is ineffective and not designed for paintwork, WD-40, which only creates a temporary illusion, and nail polish, which rarely matches paint colour and leaves uneven patches that worsen the look.
Expert technician Hannah Gordon has said that these techniques can see repairs to scratches rise from about £100 to more than £200.
She said:
“A small scratch that’s gone beneath the paint often costs between £90-£120 for a mobile company to fix. If a DIY job goes wrong then the whole panel may then need to be sanded back and the paint blown in to match the nearest panels, this could cost north of £200.”
She added: “Car buyers are always looking for ways to knock that little bit extra off the asking price and any scratches to the bodywork will enable this.”
