Buying a used car always carries the risk that it was in a more serious collision than the seller wants to mention. Here is how to check for the most important warning signs yourself.
Check the paperwork and vehicle history first
Before you inspect the car in person, run the VIN through a vehicle history service. Service records, prior insurance claims, and mileage history are your first line of information before you ever see the car in the flesh.
Inspect the paint
Color mismatches: stand in a well-lit area and compare the color of each body panel from different angles. A shade difference between a door and a fender suggests repainting after a repair.
Paint thickness: an inexpensive paint depth gauge (available cheaply online, or through an inspector) will detect spots where extra body filler or paint was applied during a repair.
Overspray on trim: check the rubber seals around windows and lights for paint residue, a sign of recent repainting.
Check panel gaps and fitment
Uneven, asymmetric gaps between doors, hood and fenders, or the trunk lid and bumper are a common sign that a body panel was removed and reinstalled after a collision.
Check the frame and floor pan
Signs of welding or straightening: look underneath the car (ideally on a lift at a shop) for welding marks, uneven panels, or evidence of frame straightening.
Corrosion in unusual spots: fresh rust in places where it normally would not appear can indicate a collision repair that stripped the original protective coating.
Check the airbags
Ask about airbag replacement history. Deployed airbags that were improperly replaced are a serious safety issue that cannot be assessed without proper computer diagnostics.
Take a proper test drive
During the test drive, check whether the car tracks straight without holding the wheel at an angle (which can indicate misaligned geometry), and listen for unusual noises during turns and braking.
The most important advice: get a professional pre-purchase inspection
No checklist replaces a thorough pre-purchase inspection at a shop. Computer diagnostics, alignment checks, and a lift inspection typically cost far less than the repairs you could inherit from a poorly repaired accident car.
Book a pre-purchase inspection at a shop near you through Motoro before you commit to buying.