Diminished Value Calculator: How Much DV Do You Have?

Even if a vehicle has been fixed perfectly after being damaged, it can still lose value. This is often referred to as diminished value.

Use our free diminished value calculator below to get a preliminary estimate of how much value your vehicle may have lost.

Free Diminished Value Calculator

Enter your vehicle's approximate pre-loss value and select the damage severity to get a preliminary estimate of how much value your vehicle may have lost.

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Please enter a valid positive vehicle value and select a damage severity.

Preliminary Diminished Value Range

$3,000 – $7,000

Vehicles in this value range require a more individualized review. Submit your vehicle information for a free vehicle-specific diminished value estimate.

This is a preliminary estimate based only on the vehicle value and general damage severity selected. It is not an appraisal of your vehicle's actual diminished value. Your vehicle-specific estimate may be higher or lower after reviewing the vehicle, mileage, accident history, repairs, market conditions, and other relevant factors.

Want a More Accurate Vehicle-Specific Estimate?

Get a free vehicle-specific estimate from DVCHECK based on the details of your vehicle and accident.

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Calculating Diminished Value Takes Skill and Experience

There’s a lot of misinformation about how diminished value should be calculated. There are no laws or regulations mandating the use of a particular formula, such as the 17c formula. Calculating diminished value cannot be accurately done with a single formula, as various factors can affect the amount of value lost.

Some of those factors include, but are not limited to:

Age of the vehicle

Newer vehicles tend to lose more value

Type of damage

Structural damage and airbag deployment will generally result in more diminished value than cosmetic damage

Prior damage history

Filing diminished value on the first incident is ideal

Vehicle class

Exotics and rare collectible cars can lose more value than a daily driver

History report damage notations

that may be present in a vehicle history report

Diminished value is best determined by researching the market for similar vehicles with an accident history.

Now isn’t the time to entrust your diminished value claim to an inexperienced appraiser. Insurance companies often challenge and reject appraisals made using canned software and/or questionable methods.

‍DVCHECK has over 25 years of vehicle valuation and insurance industry experience handling diminished value claims. We’re experts at calculating diminished value.

We will review your claim, conduct a preliminary diminished value calculation, and provide you with your estimated diminished value.

Request a Free Estimate

How Some Insurance Companies Use Formula 17c To Calculate Diminished Value and Undervalue Claims

The most well-known diminished value formula is the 17c formula. Created by State Farm in the Georgia class action lawsuit, Mabry v State Farm, this formula is sometimes utilized by insurance companies to calculate diminished value and comes equipped with several flaws.

The 17c formula takes 10% of the book value of your car and applies mileage and damage modifiers based on a scale.

Flaw 1: A 10% Cap

This is an arbitrary cap meant to control claim payouts.

Flaw 2: A Questionable Mileage Modifier

This modifier could be considered a double penalty or “double dip” for mileage (a car’s mileage was already accounted for when determining the book value).

Flaw 3: The Formula’s Damage Modifier

Selecting a damage modifier for the 17c formula is subjective and can lead to wide variations in the calculated amount. What one person considers major damage, another may consider moderate damage. In addition, there’s no evidence to support the notion that diminished value in the real world follows a linear mathematical scale resulting from the severity of damage.

Most people would view an accident vehicle the same way, regardless if the damages were $5,000, $7,000, or $7,700. That can lead to difficulties using this formula when you calculate diminished value.

Flaw 4: Doesn’t Address Important Vehicle Information

Using the 17c formula as a diminished value calculator doesn’t take into account vehicle class or negative notations that may be present in a vehicle history report such as CARFAX.

Vehicle class and CARFAX notations about an accident are two factors that can have an impact on the amount of value that a vehicle may lose.

For example, a structural damage notation on CARFAX would cause more diminished value than a minor damage notation.

In terms of vehicle class, minor paintwork on a Hyundai would not have the same impact on value as minor paintwork on a Lamborghini.

How Much Diminished Value Should You Expect to Recover?

Generally, individuals filing a diminished value claim for a newer car tend to receive higher settlements than those filing claims for older vehicles.

Vehicles that have sustained substantial damage in an accident typically receive higher settlements than those with only minor damage.

Insurance companies often place considerable weight on repair costs when calculating diminished value. As a result, claims with extensive repair costs typically result in the largest settlements. While diminished value settlements are still possible for cars with minor damage, they usually require more negotiation.

‍As a general guideline, regardless of the diminished value calculator you use, you can expect the diminished value to range from 10% to 20% of your vehicle’s fair market value.

Get a More Accurate Diminished Value Estimate

Reach out for a free estimate from DVCHECK and we’ll review the specifics of your vehicle and claim to calculate your diminished value. Your free estimate will give you a high-level estimate of how much money you can potentially recover for diminished value based on the details of your situation and vehicle.
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While a diminished value calculator can provide a basic preliminary estimate, determining the actual loss in value requires a closer look at the vehicle, accident history, repairs, and market. The 17c formula and other simplified calculations do not account for all of the factors that can affect a vehicle's diminished value.

If you need to properly document your loss, DVCHECK can provide a certified diminished value appraisal using market comparable vehicles, respected price guides, and backed by our many years of vehicle valuation experience. The appraisal provides the supporting documentation you need to present your diminished value claim to the insurance company, or when necessary, in court.
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We’ll also be available to offer support, helping you throughout the claims process.