9 ways to determine if a used car has been in an accident
You may find several options when shopping for a used car. But be cautious because dealers sometimes modify the vehicle and fix or replace parts damaged in an accident without telling you. If you don’t know where and what to look for, it can be hard to spot these discrepancies. With this in mind, we’ve listed nine ways to tell if a pre-owned car has been involved in a crash or a serious accident. Look for a new paint job Aftermarket paintwork is among the most common signs of potential damage to a used car. Before buying the vehicle, walk around and see if any panel appears in a different shade than the others. The change may not be visible at first glance, so you might have to look closer. Since bumpers are made of plastic, the fresh paint coat might be more challenging to identify. Remember that the aftermarket paint process differs from the factory’s process, and new paint on a panel may be slightly faded. Run your finger over the panels After you’re through with the visual inspection, move on to the finger test. Run your finger along the edges of the car’s panels, including the edges of the doors, windows, and the back edge of the hood. If the edges haven’t been repainted, they should be smooth. If there’s aftermarket work done on the car, the lip of the panels should be left slightly rough or bumpy. If you notice these rough edges, examine them further and speak to the dealer or owner if necessary. Identify overspray When a car goes to a body shop for damage repair, the mechanic covers the areas that don’t need painting with tape and paper. It helps them ensure no paint gets onto surfaces it shouldn’t. However, if the individual isn’t extremely particular about the work, they might leave small edges of the black rubber strip exposed around the base of a window, molding, or other panels.