hail damage on a car

Hail damage is nature’s way of giving your car a golf-ball finish—dings on roof, bonnet and boot, sometimes cracked glass for extra drama. It often looks worse than it is, but it dents value and can invite rust if the paint’s broken.

• Check for uniform pin-dents across horizontal panels and along door tops.
• Look closely for cracked paint; that’s rust’s invitation letter.
• Inspect windscreens and sunroofs for chips, cracks and leaks.
• After rain, check carpets for damp and sniff for mustiness.
• Confirm insurance history and whether it’s a hail write-off (repairable or statutory).

Repairs range from paintless dent repair (cheap-ish when the paint’s intact) to full panel and paint when it’s not. Use the damage to negotiate hard, but budget realistically—hail bargains are great until the quote lands and your wallet gets the bruises instead.