How to Know when a Used Car Has Been Wrecked
Key Things to Assess when Buying Used, Accident Free Vehicles
© Gia Gee
Dec 18, 2008
The goal of buying a used car is to find a vehicle that has below average miles, given its model year and in good to excellent condition. Certainly, no consumer wants to purchase a vehicle that has been involved in an accident because of potential problems that follow the purchase. With a little patience and knowledge, the consumer can significantly reduce the probability of buying a used vehicle that has been involved in an accident. The following areas should be assessed before making a purchase:
- Look for paint over spray on the door weather stripping and hinges
- Look for paint over spray on all chrome accessories
- Look for paint over spray on all light plastic lens covers
- Look for paint over spray inside the wheel wells
- Look for paint over spray in the engine wells and trunk well
- Assessing the undercarriage
- When driving the vehicle, listen for rattles in dash, seats, trunk
- When driving the vehicle assure the vehicle does not drift left or right
- Look for original logo on windshield of the vehicle's manufacturer, such as Ford
Paint Over Spray
Paint over spray is one of the easiest visual elements to spot on a vehicle that may indicate the vehicle has been wrecked. There are several reasons for over spray. First, improper paint taping of the areas to be protected allow the over spray to dry on areas such as chrome accessories found along the edges of doors, hoods, trunk lids and wheel wells. Second, a poor quality paint job because of an inexperienced painter can result in over spray. A rushed paint job can cause over spray due to a lack of attention to detail.
Assessing the Undercarriage
When a vehicle has frame damage, the device to straighten the frame is attached to the frame rails and can leave teeth marks in the metal. If you see these markings it may indicate the vehicle has been involved in an accident. Further evaluation would be required.
Driving the Vehicle
When driving the vehicle, you should listen for rattles of all types. For example, if the dash board rattles or vibrates it may indicate the dash had been removed for repair and replaced using broken plastic clips or replaced with plastic clips missing. In addition, listen for a spare tire rattle. This may indicate the spare tire had been removed for some reason and not replaced properly. If the spare tire rattles, further assessment is required.
Open the glove box. Often times, body shops and auto painters will place a business card in the dash. This may be a clue the car has been repaired. A vehicle that drifts left or right when driving it indicates the vehicle is out of alignment. Look at the tires. Are they worn evenly? If not, this is an area of concern and should be further investigated.
Original Manufacturer's Logo
This is one tip that many consumers miss. On the vehicle's windshield will be the manufacturer's logo, such as Ford. If the vehicle is wrecked, the windshield may be replaced with an after market windshield and this logo will not be present.
Walk Around the Vehicle
The final step is to walk around the vehicle and look for any imperfections. You should expect to see some minor imperfections since it is a used vehicle. What you are looking for are visual clues that may indicate the vehicle has been in an accident. These visual clues would include tolerance gaps between the doors and frame, gap tolerances between the hood and fenders, trunk lid and fenders, as well as other visual tolerances. In addition, compare the width of the tolerances between the left and right side of the vehicle. If you have patience and follow these few simple steps, you will find a great used vehicle.
As a consumer, buying a used vehicle takes patience. Don't be in a hurry. Plan to spend several hours with the vehicle and if you are pressured into making a decision by a salesperson, leave the car lot immediately. Arming yourself with just a little knowledge can save you a significant amount of money. Don't go alone to look at the vehicle. If possible, take a friend with you who is knowledgable about cars to help you with your assessment of the vehicle. Best wishes on your next vehicle search.
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