New Jersey law holds, "the general primary rule is that, in the absence of the total destruction of an automobile the measure of damages is the difference in its value immediately before and after the injury." Jones v. Lahn, 1 N.J. 358, 362, 63 A.2d 804 (1949) (citing Hintz v. Roberts, 98 N.J.L. 768, 121 A. 711 (E. & A.1923)). 

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If the value of an automobile before it was damaged was greater than it was after repair, the owner is entitled to a sum for the depreciated value of automobile, in addition to cost of repair. Fanfarillo v. Eastend Motor Company, 172 N.J.Super. 309, 411 A.2d 1167 (Sup. Ct. NJ, Appellate Division) [emphasis added]. 

Expressed similarly, when repairs still leave the vehicle in a less valuable condition than immediately before the accident, a plaintiff is entitled to prove his full damages by proving the cost of repair and the depreciated value after repair, or by showing the value of the vehicle immediately before and after the accident. Premier XXI Claims Mgmt v. Rigstad, 381 N.J.Super. 281, 885 A.2d 521 (Sup Ct Appellate Div 2005). 

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Vehicle Trust v. Panter, 2019 N.J. Super. LEXIS 28 (App. Div. Feb. 28, 2019), notes the Appellate Division decided that a motor vehicle owner may recover for diminution of value of the owner’s motor vehicle that was involved in the accident, as long as the proper proofs are presented.