A Good Photo Set Prevents Guesswork
When a damaged car is described only in words, people imagine different things. "Front damage" might mean a scraped bumper, a crushed radiator, a bent wheel or an engine bay fire. Photos to show damage clearly remove that gap.
For a Nelson scrap or salvage quote, photos should show the vehicle's condition and the collection setting. A buyer is trying to judge value, missing parts, safety issues and recovery access from a distance. The better the pictures, the fewer assumptions sit inside the offer.
Start With The Whole Vehicle
Take one photo from the front, one from the rear, and one from each side. Step back far enough to include the whole car. These images show whether the vehicle is complete and how the damage sits in context.
Then take closer photos of the worst areas. If the front is damaged, show the bumper, bonnet, headlights, radiator area if visible, and wheel positions. If the side is damaged, show doors, sill, pillar area and whether the door opens.
Whole-car photos also help identify whether useful parts remain elsewhere. A badly damaged front end may still leave clean rear panels, wheels or interior parts.
Capture Wheels, Tyres And Ground
Recovery planning often depends on what is happening at ground level. Photograph each wheel if the car has bent suspension, flat tyres, missing wheels, damaged alloys or seized brakes. Show whether any corner sits lower than the rest.
If a wheel points at an odd angle, take a picture from straight ahead or behind. If the tyre is off the rim, close-up photos help. If the car is on grass, gravel, mud or a steep drive, show that too.
These images help the collector decide whether the car is likely to roll, drag or need careful loading.
Include The Interior When It Matters
Interior photos are useful for deployed airbags, broken glass, water damage, fire damage, mould, missing keys, damaged seats or warning lights. Take the driver's area, dashboard, steering wheel, gear selector and seat area if safe to do so.
Do not climb inside if the cabin has sharp glass, burnt trim or heavy mould. A photo through an open door or window is enough. If you cannot safely photograph an area, say that in your notes.
Dashboard photos can also explain whether the car starts, has warning lights, or is completely dead.
Show Missing Parts Honestly
If parts have been removed, photograph the gaps. Missing catalysts, batteries, wheels, lights, bumpers or interior pieces can all affect value and collection. It is better to show them clearly than let the buyer discover them at pickup.
The same applies to loose parts placed in the boot or cabin. If a bumper, headlight or wheel is included with the car but not fitted, photograph it and say where it is.
Finish With Access Photos
Access photos should be taken from where the recovery vehicle would approach. Show the road width, driveway entrance, gates, walls, slope, parked vehicles and any tight turns.
For back lanes, yards and shared parking, include landmarks that help the driver find the right place. If other cars need moving before collection, say so.
A useful photo set does not need to be artistic. It needs to be complete, current and honest. Take the pictures in daylight where possible, avoid hiding damage with flattering angles, and make sure the buyer can see both the vehicle and the space around it.