7 Signs a Used Car Has Been in an Accident

You may pay a little less than what a brand new car costs, but you are still making a pretty large investment when buying a used car. While you can get a great deal for the price, there are also chances that you end up with a car that is not worth it. All the dealers and salespersons have one job, and that is to increase sales. They will either omit important information or straight out lie to you about it. This increases your chances of ending up with a lemon.

Even if the car is not a total waste, there are chances that it has been in a severe accident and was repaired to be resold. When rebuilding these cars, most dealers try to cut as much cost as possible to increase their profit margin. This, in turn, results in a shiny yet structurally compromised vehicle. It may feel like a smooth ride for the time being, but it can cause a lot of trouble for you down the road. Plus, there is a chance that you are paying way much more than you should for a car like that, and you will be paying more for repairs down the road.

However, there are a few tips that can help you spot any vehicle that has been in an accident previously. Not only can you save yourself from trouble, but you can also negotiate the value once you uncover the truth.

Here are 7 signs a used car has been in an accident.

1. The Paint Doesn’t Match Up

A car that has been repaired after an accident is likely to have paint job inconsistencies on its exterior. These inconsistencies range from the color of a certain area being a completely different shade as compared to the rest of the vehicle to a little difference in shade. Moreover, a certain part may not be as glossy as the rest of the car. These are all tell-tale signs that the car has been in an accident. Otherwise, who would paint a region slightly different for no reason?

The chances are that your dealer has reduced their repair costs, and the sloppy paint job is one evidence of it. You need to be more thorough in your examination. Try to get a clear answer from your dealer. The paint may just be to cover a bad scratch.

2. Inconsistent Panels

Inconsistent panels are another example of a sloppy repair job. When the car is produced at a factory, all its doors, fenders, and hood are in perfect alignment. This alignment remains the same way even after rigorous use. However, an accident can affect it.

Repairs after a major accident often leave an inconsistency in all of these panels. You may realize that a certain door requires a little extra effort to close or gets in contact with the fender when you open it. This is a perfect example of inconsistent panels. You will also be able to see these inconsistencies if you look thoroughly at the gaps between each panel.

These gaps are supposed to be uniform, and if they are slanting, it means that the panel is slightly leaning towards one side. Not only is it an indicator of the car being in an accident, but it also tells you that the body is still compromised.

3. Irregular Welding

While the manufacturer welds some parts in the frame of the car, you can look for irregular welding marks in the car to see if it has been in an accident. Irregular welding parts mean that the accident was so intense that it rendered the whole region useless, and it had to be replaced. Moreover, a skilled welding mark would seem very different from the welding that was done to stick the car together. You will have to look under the carpeting for any such signs.

Irregular welding marks are a big red flag for you when buying a used car. Even if your dealer has clearly stated that the car has been in an accident and required a total replacement of said parts, you should choose a car without such damage. Nothing can be said with certainty about a car’s structural integrity that was welded outside of the manufacturing facility. There is a greater chance that the car will not be able to withstand another accident and poses a great safety hazard for passengers.

4. Rust and Scratched Paint

Extending on the last point, you will realize that major repairs cannot be put together with bolts. You require welding, which requires you to scratch the paint off, exposing the body to rust. The same goes for many parts under the hood, such as the area where the engine is held. Dealers might not give it much thought to repaint such areas, leaving the scratched area as is. It may or may not result in rust, but it will definitely update you about the car’s accident status.

5. Painting the Underside

While undercoating a car is not always bad, it is more likely that the car has undergone recent repairs. A relatively fresh undercoat can be a sign of recent repair for the purpose of selling the car. While it may seem good to have a fresh coat, you will have to be a little critical in order to get the truth. A fresh undercoat also covers up any previous damages.

6. Off the Market Parts

Replacement of original car parts with off-the-market car parts also points towards damage. While some parts may genuinely require changing over a period of time, you can still cross-reference the time for which the car has been in the running. If the math suggests that repair should not have been needed, it only means that the car got into an accident, taking a severe hit on the part such that it needed replacement.

Another factor to keep in mind is that off-the-market car parts are marginally inexpensive as compared to original manufacturer parts. This means the dealer has tried to save money while repairing the car. You would want to be more vigilant around such a car. You should check other details more critically to see if there is some other sloppy repair job. This can be a deal-breaker because you cannot be certain about the car’s structural integrity.

Some common parts replacements that point toward an accident are the taillights and headlights. Fender benders are not that big an issue, but the severity of the accident can cause a lot of damage. Similarly, check for the airbag cover. It breaks open in the collision and would require to be replaced. You can be certain that the car was in an accident.

7. Check the Drive

Test drive plays an important role when it comes to buying any car. However, it becomes more crucial when you are buying a used car. It can tell you a lot about the condition of the car. Similarly, it can tell you if a car has been in an accident.

If the car fails to keep straight while driving and you have to constantly keep it in line, there is an alignment problem. It is evident that the car is not fit to drive and should not be taken out on the road. It may even be a problem with the car’s chassis, which is a huge red flag. Get a mechanic to check the misalignment and see what is causing it. Always ensure that the seller either repairs it for you or cuts down the cost.

Takeaway

Finding the right used car can be a daunting experience. However, it pays off well. You would not want to spend a ton of money on something that will be rendered useless in a while. Even if you are willing to buy the car, always negotiate on the price considering the costs that you will have to bear for repairs. Do not rush breaking the deal. Talk to your dealer and clear things out. Being too critical can also make you miss out on a good deal.