How to Spot an Accident Repaired Vehicle
Here are a few of the very first things I look at when checking a car for accident repair:
- Stand back about 15 feet from car looking down sides from front and rear and determine if the car is sitting straight…at same time look for ripples or waves
check for paint overspray-door gaskets-trunk and engine
- Look for color match between panels that may differ slightly from the original
- Check gaps between body panels-are they all evenly spaced
- Doors-look for a close fit-ease of opening and closing
- Open hood - check bolts on both sides that secure fenders and hood-have they ever been tampered with?
A dealer knows selling you a vehicle where an accident has been reported...and must inform you with written disclosure on bill of sale
Note i used the word REPORTED accident...reported accidents are where there is a claim through the insurance company, accidents where owner's don't involve the insurance company wont show on history reports from " carfax or autocheck " and you will have wasted your bucks...the main reason being the owner did not want to involve Ins Co as most likely future rates would outweigh present expence
I have come across many cars with clean reports and finding excessive over-spray, in such findings should you not be totally satisfied with an answer, but still considering purchase, take car for an independent inspection
An accident reported costing $ 4000. - $ 5000. range with today's costs will be very minor and should not become a major factor in your decision making
A clean titled vehicle at one time could have been a salvage
A clean titled vehicle is not conclusive evidence that a vehicle has never sustained significant damage, a car dealers can "wash" salvage-titled vehicles through states that have lax titling and reinspection requirements. The dealer will repair the salvage-titled car and then export it to a state that allows the dealer to acquire a new, clean title. That vehicle can then be sold as a "clean-titled" vehicle, although it had, at one time, a salvage title.
Get a Free Vin Check History Report
The only thing that is truly free is the air we breathe, pretty well everything else " advertised " with the word free has got a catch to plant the hook.
AutoCheck and Carfax are the leaders providing vehicle history reports, it's a service well worth the money, but I dislike the way they both advertise their service. What you get for free is a description - year - model and other factors that you already know.
And here comes the HOOK, whatever vin number you submit there will be a number of issues that you can only access with a paid up membership, this is the information you really want and it's not free, don't let it drive you nuts thinking about what these issues could be, because I guarantee if you submit 100 vin numbers, every one will have issues listed. I have yet to come across a vin number that did not have issues listed, if you find one please post it in my forum so I can re-write this web page.
Carfax® vs. AutoCheck: Which Vehicle History Report Should You Choose?
Is one really better than the other? " Aren't vehicle history reports all the same?"
Carfax was the first to provide history service and is more of a household name than AutoCheck®, but my vote goes to AutoCheck®, here are some factors to consider why I think AutoCheck provide more value for your bucks.
Run as many vehicle history reports as you want for 60 days with Auto Check, with Cafax you are only allowed up to 5 , and it will cost you $5. more than Auto Check " It's a no brainer "
If you were to go shopping for a pair of designer jeans you know darn well you can buy the same no name cloth without the fancy show off label for much less money " that's AutoCheck® "Carfax single report,,,,,,,, $34.99 - 5 reports,,,,,,,,,,,,, $44.99
AutoCheck single report $24.99 - unlimited reports $39.99 for 60 days.
AutoCheck® provides a report card that is easy to understand along with EXCLUSIVE access to auction frame damage data-- critical information to know before you purchase your vehicle that you cannot get from Carfax®.
Over five million AutoCheck® reports are run by consumers, dealers and auto auctions every single month.
