Cars damaged by hail are common guests at US auctions, and if you know what to look for, such lots can become a great opportunity to save money. In this case study, we will tell you how we bought a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio with minimal mileage, repaired hail damage, and even solved an unexpected delivery problem — all with a savings of about 30% compared to Polish market prices.
🔍 Stage 1. Buying at the auction — a hail-damaged car
We found a great lot at the auction: a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, minimal mileage, one owner, clean interior, intact body geometry, only hail damage.
There were dents on the roof and hood, but no paint damage — this means PDR (paintless dent repair) is possible, which significantly reduces restoration costs.
🚢 Stage 2. Delivery — and the importance of insurance
The car was shipped in a container, as usual. But during loading in the USA, it was scratched on the side — workers damaged the paint on the door. Thanks to our additional insurance, we fully covered the cost of this repair for the client.
🛠 Stage 3. Repair after hail — quick and affordable
- Dent removal on the roof without painting (PDR method), except for the hood
- The hood was replaced with a new one (aluminum, difficult to repair)
- Full body polishing
- Painting of the right door (scratch from delivery)
- Diagnostics and basic maintenance
The repair took less than two weeks, with minimal costs. The client received a nearly new vehicle, fully ready for registration.
✅ Financial summary
Even considering the scratch during delivery and all repair work, the car cost about 30% less than a similar 2021 Stelvio on the Polish market.
Is buying a hail-damaged car safe?
If the car has no critical damage, only dents without cracks or breaking elements — yes, it’s a reasonable way to save money. Especially if you use trusted PDR services and insure the delivery, as in our case.
📲 Want to calculate how much it costs to bring a car from the USA with savings?
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