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Does a previous accident affect the value of a plane?

For example, let's say a plane had a landing accident twenty years ago. It was fixed and has had no related problems since then.

Is the value the same as if it never was in an accident, or do you deduct some value?

The reason I ask this is I often see in ads a mention that a plane has never been in an accident. I assume the seller wouldn't put something like that in the ad if he didn't think it improved the value of the plane. Of course, if that is the case, then a plane that has been in an accident should be worth less. Or, is all of this irrelevant if it has been over X number of years?

John,

It all depends on the buyer. And some what the extent of the previous damage. Some buyers will not go any where near an airplane that has had damage. No matter how long ago, nor however well, the repairs had been made. There is the reason for the emphasis on PDH.

My feelings? Our airplane flipped when forced landed in a bean field. The accident happened back in 1983. The plane has accumulated hundreds of hours since. And, it is a sweet, straight flying, airplane today. So obviously the repairs had been done properly. I purchased the aircraft. (But left it to my ferry pilot to really check things out bringing it out to Oregon! )

There is a draw back in this story, however. There are some "scars" left on the wings from the accident. They do not affect the flyability of the airplane now. But I, am looking for a more cosmetically appealing set so to install long range tanks.

So......pros and cons..........

It's not much different from buying a previously damaged car, except that there are far fewer airplanes than cars.

Any damage history, no matter how old, deserves a closer inspection of the repairs before purchase. If it's done right, the repairs are undetectable, and there will be no related problems. You'd think the perfectly repaired plane (or car) would still be worth the "undamaged" price, but it just ain't so! People don't mind paying more for undamaged goods, so the undamaged asking price is almost always higher than the same item with properly repaired damage.

The one big question is the quality of the repair! Otherwise, it's the same product, same reliability, same safety, and different prices.