Five Ways To Tell That You’re Buying An Accident Car
When buying a car, it’s often difficult to tell whether you’re buying a clean unit or an accident car. Sellers hardly mention if the car has been in a major accident. It’s up to you to look out for yourself. So, how do you tell that you’re being sold an accident car or an insurance… View Article
When buying a car, it’s often difficult to tell whether you’re buying a clean unit or an accident car. Sellers hardly mention if the car has been in a major accident. It’s up to you to look out for yourself. So, how do you tell that you’re being sold an accident car or an insurance salvage? These are the five signs you should look out for when buying a used car;
1. Uneven gaps in the panel
The easiest way to find out if a car has been in an accident is to look at the gaps between the body’s panel. The joints where the fender joins a door should have an even width and this applies to the other gaps like the one between the bumper and the fender. Use a pen and drag it along the gap to feel for any inconsistent width.
A tight gap or extremely wide gap can be an indicator that it has had some work on it after an accident.
2. Strange noises and sensations
When doing your test drive, watch out for strange noises that seem to come from nowhere. For example, a creaking sound or squeaks when closing the door, closing the hood, in the suspension, or when turning the steering wheel.
You should also look out for strange sensations such as vibrations when accelerating or on uneven road surfaces.
3. Several replaced components
The presence of many new components in a car is a sign of trouble. While wear and tear in a used car is expected, a car having so many new components at once is quite suspect. If the engine hoses or radiator are new and shiny, you need to investigate further before buying the car. There’s a possibility that the car was involved in a front collision that caused damage to the engine bay.
4. Inconsistent paint job
As you inspect the car’s body, from one panel to another, watch out for any different shades or metallic flakes. This method is how to spot a salvaged car that has been repainted. Confirm that the body and the fender have the same shade colors.
Labels that are covered in paint are also a sign that the car may have undergone a paint job, albeit a not-so-good one.
Another sign is to watch out for overspray. Usually appearing around the headlights and door jambs can feel like a lemon peel. Bubbles on the body can be a sign of rust but extreme bubbling can be an attempt at hiding damage in extreme cases.
5. Different serial numbers on windows and other parts
Windshield replacements are quite common. They can easily crack from loose chippings on the road or under extreme heat. However, the serial numbers on the car windows are one of the best indicators of repair.
If the car hasn’t been in an accident, serial numbers on all windows should be the same. If they don’t match, you should ask questions. A giveaway of spotting a salvaged car is to see which parts have been swapped and replaced. This commonly happens with the bumper, mirror, windscreen, and doors.
Identify an accident car through Peach inspection services
These are just a few pointers on how to identify an accident car, but it’s not exhaustive. Accident cars come in all shapes and sizes, and the only way to identify one before making a purchasing decision is to have the car inspected. Peach Cars offers a comprehensive 288-point inspection that unearths the true condition of the car you intend to buy.