Does a Collision Involving the Vehicle's Frame Rail Constitute a Major Accident?
3 Answers
Repairs classify it as an accident vehicle, specifically a major accident vehicle. Here's an introduction to accident vehicles: 1. Accident Vehicle: An accident vehicle refers to a vehicle that has sustained damage due to non-natural wear and tear incidents, resulting in decreased mechanical performance and economic value. An "accident vehicle" is one that has structural damage. Additionally, water-damaged and fire-damaged vehicles fall under the category of "special accident vehicles." 2. Classification: Any vehicle involved in an accident is considered an accident vehicle. The distinction lies in the severity of the accident, categorizing them as major or minor accident vehicles. Damage that can be resolved by replacing parts is considered a minor accident. Examples include damage to the front bumper, headlights, or front fenders, which may cause some depreciation in the vehicle's value. However, if the damage involves non-replaceable components such as the frame rails, chassis, or A/B/C pillars, requiring repairs like reshaping, cutting, or welding, the vehicle is classified as a severe accident vehicle. Accident vehicles, once repaired, often suffer significant reductions in structural strength and experience greater depreciation in resale value compared to minor accident vehicles. 3. Methods for identifying accident vehicles include: exterior inspection, headlight examination, insurance record checks, and interior assessment.
When I used to help out at the repair shop, I often encountered this issue. The car's frame head refers to the front longitudinal beams of the chassis, which serve as the skeleton of the entire vehicle. If the frame head gets deformed in a collision, it's serious trouble. Even if the surface bodywork looks perfectly repaired, the internal structure is already compromised, affecting the vehicle's overall rigidity and safety. I remember working on a rear-end collision case where the frame head was dented by 5 cm - repair costs immediately skyrocketed to over 40,000 yuan. The insurance company eventually declared it a total loss. This definitely qualifies as a severely damaged vehicle, depreciating by at least 30% in the used car market. Moreover, after repairs, you can clearly feel unstable steering at highway speeds, which is why I never recommend friends to buy such vehicles.
I specialize in used car valuation and have handled thousands of vehicles. A damaged frame rail is considered severe even among major accidents. The first thing we check when taking in a car is the condition of the chassis frame rails—if the paint meter detects repainting, it's immediately classified as an accident vehicle. Last year, I appraised a Cayenne with cut-and-welded front frame rails. Despite flawless repairs, its value was halved. What's more concerning is structural safety—the factory-designed crash energy absorption path is compromised, meaning airbags might not deploy properly in the next rear-end collision. If the damage involves suspension towers or engine mounts, it's downright fatal. So don't believe claims about seamless repairs—steer clear whenever you see frame rail repair records.
