Diminished Value Calculator

Name: Diminished Value Calculator
Author: CalculatorBolt

Estimate the diminished value (DV) of your vehicle after an accident. Enter your vehicle's pre-accident value, age, mileage, type of damage, and repair quality to calculate the estimated diminished value amount and post-accident resale value. Informational only—consult an automotive appraiser or legal professional for accurate assessments. Explore more tools on free calculators on CalculatorBolt.

Calculator

Pre-Accident Value

Vehicle value before accident

Vehicle Age

years

Age in years

Distance Units

km or miles

Mileage

Total distance driven

Damage Type

Severity of damage

Repair Quality

Quality of repairs

Diminished Value

Post-Accident Value

DV Percentage

Import JSON

How it works

DV Percentage = Base % (Damage Type + Repair Quality) + Age Adjustment + Mileage Adjustment

Diminished Value Amount = Pre-Accident Value × (DV Percentage ÷ 100)

Post-Accident Value = Pre-Accident Value - Diminished Value Amount

The calculator uses industry-standard percentages adjusted for your vehicle's specific characteristics.

Inputs explained

Pre-Accident Value: The market value of your vehicle immediately before the accident (use KBB, NADA, or appraisal).
Vehicle Age: How many years old the vehicle is.
Mileage: Total distance driven (in kilometers or miles).
Damage Type: Minor (cosmetic only), Moderate (structural damage), or Severe (major damage affecting frame/drivetrain).
Repair Quality: OEM (best, uses original manufacturer parts), Aftermarket (non-OEM parts), or Poor (visible defects or improper repairs).

Example

A 3-year-old sedan with 50,000 km:

Pre-Accident Value: $20,000
Damage Type: Moderate (structural)
Repair Quality: OEM

Calculation:

Base DV%: 17.5% (Moderate + OEM: 15-20%, midpoint)
Age Adjustment: 0% (under 5 years)
Mileage Adjustment: 0% (under 100,000 km)
Total DV%: 17.5%
Diminished Value: $20,000 × 0.175 = $3,500
Post-Accident Value: $20,000 - $3,500 = $16,500

Tips & notes

OEM repairs result in significantly lower diminished value than aftermarket or poor-quality repairs.
Older vehicles with high mileage tend to have higher DV percentages as the impact of accident history is proportionally greater.
Severe damage (frame, airbag deployment, flood) can result in DV of 25-40% or more.
Luxury and sports cars typically experience higher diminished value percentages than economy vehicles.
DV claims are typically made against the at-fault party's insurance, not your own.
Get a professional appraisal for the most accurate DV estimate, especially for high-value claims.
Document everything: photos, repair invoices, appraisals, and the police report.

DV Percentage Reference Table

Damage Type	OEM Repair	Aftermarket	Poor Quality
Minor (Cosmetic)	5-10%	10-15%	15-20%
Moderate (Structural)	15-20%	20-25%	25-30%
Severe (Major)	25-30%	30-35%	35-40%

Note: These are base percentages. Age and mileage adjustments add 0-20% more.

FAQs

Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle's resale value after it has been in an accident, even after repairs have been completed. Buyers are typically willing to pay less for a vehicle with an accident history.

DV is calculated based on damage severity, repair quality, vehicle age, and mileage. This calculator uses a base percentage (5-40%) adjusted for age and mileage to estimate the diminished value.

In many jurisdictions, you can claim diminished value from the at-fault party's insurance company. However, laws vary by state/country. Consult a legal professional for advice.

No. Everything runs in your browser. Use Export or Share Link to save your calculation.

Key factors include: severity of damage, quality of repairs (OEM vs. aftermarket), vehicle age, mileage, make/model, and market conditions. Luxury and sports cars typically have higher DV percentages.

Yes, using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts typically results in lower diminished value compared to aftermarket or poor-quality repairs.

Yes, in most cases you can claim diminished value from the at-fault driver's insurance as part of your property damage claim. This is in addition to repair costs.

The statute of limitations varies by jurisdiction, typically ranging from 2-6 years. File your claim as soon as possible after repairs are completed.

Disclaimer

Informational estimate only. Actual diminished value depends on many factors including specific make/model, market conditions, accident history details, and professional appraisal. This calculator provides a general estimate and should not be used as the sole basis for insurance claims or legal action. Consult a qualified automotive appraiser or legal professional for accurate diminished value assessments and claims advice.