How to Check a Car for Accidental Damage
When considering purchasing a used car, it is important to check if a car has a history of damages caused by accidents. Checking a car for damages before finalizing the paperwork and purchase can help you make an informed decision and ensure that you are paying the amount that the car is actually worth. If you feel that you might need a professional opinion, consider contacting a used car inspection expert. However, here are a few tips to help you inspect a used car for accidental damage.
1. Ask for a Vehicle History Report
One of the first things you should do before considering buying a used car is to acquire a vehicle history report from a reputed vehicle history research company. They can get you a report with the full history of the car, and it will include the list of all of the past owners of the car, any accidents reported on the car, insurance information, or any other claims reported involving the car. A vehicle history report can give you an idea of what to check in the vehicle.
2. Check Fender and Bumper for Cracks
Fenders and bumpers of the car are among the most common story tellers of a vehicle’s past. When you go for a car inspection, examine both ends of the car carefully and look for any areas with cracks or patches. Any repair to either end of the car can be a good indicator to look for further damage.
3. Inspect the Windshield
If a vehicle has been in a collision, the windows and the front and back windshields are most likely to get chipped, cracked, or webbed. Check to see if you can see any crack or chips because those will need repairs.
Get Lemon Squad’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
4. Assess the Body Lines of the Car
Most cars that are repaired have uneven body lines. Look for the car’s body line by looking along the main line while crouching at eye level on one end of the car. An uneven line will indicate that the body panels might have been replaced or hammered out to repair body damage.
5. Examine the Body Panels and Door Gaps
When inspecting a used car, make sure you look at the body panels and the gaps between each doors. It should be straight and even all along the top and the bottom. Uneven gaps will indicate replaced panels or doors repaired after an accident.
6. Check Filler Spots in the Body
A vehicle that is repaired after an accident will usually have bumpy spots from all the filler used to repair the damage. It is a great idea to run your hand along the body of the car and look for any filler spots.
7. Look for Clamp Marks
If a car has clamp marks, it indicates that the car has been on clamp for serious repairs that are usually called for after an accident.
8. Check If the Car Has Been Repainted
Any signs that hint toward a car being repainted, such as nicks, scratches, uneven paint areas, or signs of a different color underneath the paint are the signs that the car has been repainted to match the replaced door or panel with the rest of the car. Identifying a repainted car might be difficult without proper training and experience. It is wise to contact Lemon Squad Nationwide Used Car Inspection to take care of all your inspections needs before buying a used car.
