How to Tell If A Used Car Has Been In an Accident
The used auto market can be a very tricky market to maneuver through. Whether you are buying or selling there are challenges to both sides. I think that the more difficult side is obviously the buying side. You don't know the history of the car and this can make buying a used car quite a guessing game! Keep reading to learn how you can avoid buying a lemon!
We have probably all seen those cars on the road where the back tires are not in line with the front tires. You know, it looks like the car should be veering to the left but is going perfectly straight. This happens when the frame is bent due to a serious accident that the car has been in.
In this case it is quite easy to see that the car is not functioning properly and will cost you a bunch of money in the future. But some cars that are lemons are not that easy to spot. How do you know that you are getting a good deal?
The first place that I always look is the title of the car. If the title isn't clean then the seller will be hesitant to show it to you. If he does show it to you and everything appears clean but you still aren't sure about that car, then follow these suggestions and see what you can do.
The one thing that I see all of the time is over spray on the taillights. This is a sure sign that the car has been repaired and repainted. I don't know why the seller doesn't scrape it off, or buy a new one. I have looked at several cars that the seller swears has never had any damage done to them, yet there is paint on the taillight cover. Do you think that it came out of the factory like that? No way! If the buyer isn't open about a small fender bender to explain the paint then they are hiding a much more serious problem and I wouldn't buy that car.
Another place to look is the lines where two parts of the car come together. For example, you would want to check the crack between the front fender and the hood. If one end of that line is close together and the other end is far apart then you know something is not lining up right. Something has probably been changed and isn't fitting like the original.
In all your investigating don't forget to do the obvious and ask the owner about the car. Many times people selling the car are very honest and will tell you every detail. Remember that you are in control and they have to answer all of your questions. Many times you can tell if they are hiding something by asking some simple questions. If they are hesitant and a little shaky, then walk away. There is a better car just down the road with a seller that will tell you everything that you want to know.
I recently was looking at a used car. I immediately noticed the spray paint on the brake light cover. After that I could much more easily see that this particular fender was a noticeably different color. I asked the seller if the car had been in any accidents. He said, "oh you know nothing major just the normal scrape here and there." Hmmm, I don't know if I believe that response. That is a easy way of not lying, but not telling the whole truth. Needless to say, I didn't buy that car!
I hope that you will take these tips with you when you buy your next used car. Buying cars is something that we all have to do, and is most definitely a part of our life. So, be smart and enjoy the process. Do you homework so that you can drive a car that you know is in good condition and that you can be proud of.
We have probably all seen those cars on the road where the back tires are not in line with the front tires. You know, it looks like the car should be veering to the left but is going perfectly straight. This happens when the frame is bent due to a serious accident that the car has been in.
In this case it is quite easy to see that the car is not functioning properly and will cost you a bunch of money in the future. But some cars that are lemons are not that easy to spot. How do you know that you are getting a good deal?
The first place that I always look is the title of the car. If the title isn't clean then the seller will be hesitant to show it to you. If he does show it to you and everything appears clean but you still aren't sure about that car, then follow these suggestions and see what you can do.
The one thing that I see all of the time is over spray on the taillights. This is a sure sign that the car has been repaired and repainted. I don't know why the seller doesn't scrape it off, or buy a new one. I have looked at several cars that the seller swears has never had any damage done to them, yet there is paint on the taillight cover. Do you think that it came out of the factory like that? No way! If the buyer isn't open about a small fender bender to explain the paint then they are hiding a much more serious problem and I wouldn't buy that car.
Another place to look is the lines where two parts of the car come together. For example, you would want to check the crack between the front fender and the hood. If one end of that line is close together and the other end is far apart then you know something is not lining up right. Something has probably been changed and isn't fitting like the original.
In all your investigating don't forget to do the obvious and ask the owner about the car. Many times people selling the car are very honest and will tell you every detail. Remember that you are in control and they have to answer all of your questions. Many times you can tell if they are hiding something by asking some simple questions. If they are hesitant and a little shaky, then walk away. There is a better car just down the road with a seller that will tell you everything that you want to know.
I recently was looking at a used car. I immediately noticed the spray paint on the brake light cover. After that I could much more easily see that this particular fender was a noticeably different color. I asked the seller if the car had been in any accidents. He said, "oh you know nothing major just the normal scrape here and there." Hmmm, I don't know if I believe that response. That is a easy way of not lying, but not telling the whole truth. Needless to say, I didn't buy that car!
I hope that you will take these tips with you when you buy your next used car. Buying cars is something that we all have to do, and is most definitely a part of our life. So, be smart and enjoy the process. Do you homework so that you can drive a car that you know is in good condition and that you can be proud of.
About the Author:
If you are in the previously owned car market then check out http://findhotcars.com where you will find a huge variety of previously owned cars, they also have many hard to find in a Used Luxury Car at great prices.
posted by Frank Potter at 2:19 PM
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