Finding a good used car can be a headache, and a wise choice isn't all about luck. It’s important to commit both effort and time and really do your homework to avoid regrets down the road.
From checking the car’s overall condition to getting a thorough mechanical inspection, you should do everything to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. With the used car market being so competitive and sometimes misleading, it’s crucial to spot the signs that a car has been in an accident.
Accident-damaged cars often come with hidden issues, resulting in financial loss and regrettable choices. But no worries! We’ve made a detailed guide on how to check a used car and make an informed decision.
Why Accident History Matters When Buying a Used Car
If you’re looking for a new ride in the used market, visual inspection is never enough to have a clearer picture of the vehicle’s past. Even if everything appears to be in order on the surface, the vehicle may have underlying structural damage and be prone to breakdown.
To get a real insight into a car's overall condition, you need to find its history report. The report’s accident section uncovers all major incidents and extensive repairs of the car, helping you decide whether the vehicle is worth the investment. For example, issues like frame damage or airbag deployment may not be visible during the inspection, while the accident report will provide detailed data on everything that happened to the car in the past.
Whether the car has been involved in an insignificant collision or a serious accident, the damage affects the vehicle's safety and value, consequently. So, the accident report is a perfect bargaining chip when discussing the vehicle’s price, and you can use it as a first step in your negotiation.
Want to know how to check a used car ? Start with recognizing visual red flags.
Visual Inspection: Spotting Signs of Past Accidents
Used vehicle looks can be decisive, and it's important to define the obvious indicators of past incidents.
Exterior Red Flags
First, walk around the car slowly, examining the exterior of the vehicle. Look for rust, scratches, dents, and check the alignment of body panels. Mismatched paint colors also indicate that the car has been repaired after an accident. Make sure all lights function properly.
Interior Clues
Second, review the interior. Check for stains and rips on the upholstery. Make sure all the dashboard lights and indicators work correctly and seatbelts aren’t overstretched. Another red flag to look for is the mismatched look of the airbag panels compared to the rest of the interior. And also, be aware of musty smells that indicate water damage.
Under the Hood
Third, see what’s under the hood. Look out for irregular welding marks indicating that your car’s structural integrity has been compromised and welded outside the factory. The bent core support is another sign, showing that the car was involved in a front-end accident. And also check for engine and radiator leaks.
Visual inspection is, of course, crucial, but you should also know how to check a used car through a vehicle history report.
Using Vehicle History Reports
What a Report Tells You
As mentioned before, your pre-purchase inspection can’t be complete without checking the vehicle's history report. A vehicle history report is connected to its VIN and contains information on the car’s past and present. The report includes data on previous accidents, maintenance records, the number of owners, the types of car usage, odometer rollbacks, salvage titles, and open recalls. This gathered data helps you decide whether it’s worth your time and money.
How to Get a Report
You can get vehicle history reports from various sources. The two most popular and well-known providers are AutoCheck and CARFAX, with a single report costing $45 and $30, respectively. You can also find a list of approved vehicle history sources offered by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) at vehiclehistory.gov. Plus, you can get a free report directly from dealerships or online car-selling platforms.
Limitations of Reports
Vehicle history reports provide a lot of information about the car; however, not all accidents are reported, or sellers may skip proper documentation. That’s why the report should always be supplemented with mechanical inspections and test drives.
Checking VIN Records for Accident History
The VIN is a unique code tied to every vehicle, without which it’s impossible to have a complete vehicle history report. A VIN check brings all hidden issues to light, offering information on accidents, theft, flood damage, etc. It gives a quick snapshot of car info, so you can understand whether deeper reports are necessary or not. Here’s how you can do a VIN accident check.
- Locate the VIN. You can find the vehicle's unique identification number on the driver’s side dashboard or on the driver’s door frame.
- Choose a trustworthy source. Find a well-known VIN lookup platform.
- Enter VIN. Write the 17-character number in the website search bar.
- Review the report. After getting the report, explore every single detail so as not to miss any red flags.
There are several reputable and free sources where you can get a VIN check, like VinCheckPro. These reports give you something to go on, including model specifications, accidents, and title issues, but again, for the full information, paid options are preferable.
Once you’ve learnt how to check a used car via vehicle history report and VIN code, let’s see what professionals can offer.
Professional Inspection and Mechanic Checks
History reports alone aren’t enough to make a smart decision. A pre-purchase inspection is a no-brainer when buying a used car. A thorough examination by a qualified mechanic provides an unbiased evaluation of the car’s overall condition.
It includes critical components of the vehicle, like the engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes, uncovering any potential issues that can affect the vehicle’s safety and performance. Some hidden problems might escape the average buyer’s notice, while professional eyes can’t miss these signs.
- Flood damage. Flood issues aren’t apparent and can lead to electrical failures.
- Frame damage. A bent or repaired frame can seriously compromise the car’s structural integrity.
- Coolant and oil leaks. Small leaks may be invisible, but indicate bigger problems on the way.
- Hidden rust. Rust doesn’t always show up on the surface, but it’s a sign of structural weaknesses.
A pre-purchase inspection isn’t only about spotting immediate issues, but it’s a significant financial investment in the long run.
Questions to Ask the Seller
Here’s another important aspect of your homework - asking the right questions. The right questions lead to important answers necessary for making a wise decision. So, our list includes:
- Has the car been in an accident?
- Is there any damage to the car’s exterior?
- Are there any mechanical problems?
- Has the car been involved in floods?
- Is there a vehicle history report available?
- Can I take a test drive?
- Can I have an independent inspection?
- Is the car under warranty?
Gathering information is key to getting a good deal, but including vehicle history reports in your negotiation process takes buying a used car to a whole new level.
What to Do If You Find Accident History
Want to negotiate like a pro when buying a used car? We recommend leveraging the vehicle history report data as a bargaining tool. First of all, don’t rely on just a single report; instead, get at least two from different providers. Multiple reports confirm your consistency and credibility, so you can push back on the seller’s price.
Next, thoroughly explore the report to reveal the car’s hidden issues. Armed with information on the used car’s past accidents, mileage accuracy, or title status, you can step into a beneficial negotiation.
Keeping in mind the red flags from the reports, you can ask precise questions and offer proper price reductions. For example, if the report shows the car was damaged in the flood, you can present this fact instead of vague haggling and request a price adjustment.
Finally, if the vehicle report has obvious red flags, like structure repairs or flood damage, and the seller is evasive in answers, don’t hesitate to walk away.
Wrapping Up
Learning how to check a used car isn’t that hard. Always do your homework before heading to the car market. Get the car accident history report to have a real insight into its overall condition. Thoroughly explore the used vehicle so as not to miss any red flags.
Don’t forget about professional inspections to make sure its performance and reliability are worth your money. And use the history report data as a convincing and tangible fact throughout the price negotiation process.