All you need to know about buying a car that’s been in an accident

If you are busy shopping for a second hand car and have asked around for advice, you have probably heard that you should think twice about buying a car that has been in an accident.

No matter how well the vehicle has been repaired, the unfortunate fact remains that damage from a collision could always be problematic. However, that doesn’t mean you should not consider any of these vehicles.

Matters of budget

The main reason to consider a second hand car that has been in an accident is the budget payoff. The vehicle should cost less than if it hadn’t been in an accident. That means that other vehicles for that same price range usually are older, have more mileage, or isn’t a high in demand second hand model.

Considering a car that’s been in accident therefore becomes a matter of payoff. Is the sustained damage worth the price cut?

Sometimes you are better off paying extra for a vehicle that hasn’t been in an accident, while other times it could make for a worthwhile deal. Which one it is very much depends on what kind of damage was involved.

How bad was the accident?

If the collision wasn’t major – and you have seen the repair records to prove it – you should definitely still consider purchasing the vehicle. For instance, if there was just some minor damage done to one of the headlights and to the surrounding body, that doesn’t mean you will face consistent engine issues in the future.

On the other hand, if there was major damage done to the internal carrying structure then you would have to be very careful about buying the vehicle.

If you aren’t very familiar with motor vehicles then it is a good idea to bring a friend or a mechanic you trust to look over the vehicle properly first.

Warning signs to look out for

Buying a second hand car that’s been in a collision is going to be a bit of a gamble, but to help you make a decision it helps to know what warning signs to look out for.

• Don’t buy a car from someone who doesn’t want to give you access to repair records. That car could be fixed up to look shiny and good as new, but you wouldn’t know what the extent of the damage really was.
• Watch out for signs of abuse and neglect. It’s one thing for a driver to get in a random fender bender, but it paints a different story if the vehicle suffered under consistent negligent ownership.
• Was the car properly fixed? Who did the repair work and well it was done is very important to look into. For instance, reliable panelbeaters should have been used and the paint job should match. Be very wary of signs that a cheap repair job is responsible for the vehicle you see in front of you.

A second hand car with an accident history is still deserving of consideration, but it’s a situation that you need to go into with your eyes open. Make sure you weigh up the pros and cons, are familiar with the risks involved, and find out the whole story behind the extent accident and the quality of the repair work done.