Practical guide
Should You Repair Damage Before Selling Your Car?
Compare repair cost with the likely improvement in value, saleability and first impressions.
The short answer
Compare the quoted repair cost with the likely improvement in achievable price and saleability, not the theoretical retail price of a perfect example.
What matters in practice
Minor predictable work may remove an objection, while extensive paint or mechanical work can fail to return its cost.
Obtain estimates, disclose unrepaired damage clearly and retain invoices for work completed.
What to do next
If a point matters to your decision and the evidence is unclear, ask for the relevant record, estimate or explanation. Use the handbook or current official information for the exact car where a schedule or procedure varies, and arrange competent help for anything safety-critical.