Does a Vehicle Having Been in an Accident Affect Its Sale?
3 Answers
A vehicle that has been in an accident will definitely affect its sale. During the vehicle transaction process, it is common for a third party to conduct an inspection of the vehicle. If the inspection reveals that the vehicle has been involved in an accident, it will certainly impact the vehicle's price, leading to a reduction. The currently effective national safety technical standards for motor vehicles are the "Motor Vehicle Safety Technical Inspection Items and Methods" jointly issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China and the Standardization Administration of China. Chapters 4, 6, and 7 of this standard are mandatory and must be complied with. It explicitly requires online queries for accident and violation information of the inspected vehicle. For vehicles involved in unresolved traffic violations or road accidents, the vehicle owner should be reminded to promptly handle the matter with the traffic management department of the public security authority. Unresolved traffic accidents can affect the vehicle's annual inspection, thereby impacting its normal sale. China's "Used Car Circulation Management Measures" stipulate that after the completion of a used car transaction, the seller must promptly deliver the vehicle, license plate, and legal certificates and documents to the buyer. Legal certificates and documents mainly include the motor vehicle registration certificate, motor vehicle driving license, valid motor vehicle safety technical inspection compliance mark, vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, road maintenance fee payment certificate, vehicle and vessel tax payment certificate, and vehicle insurance policy. If a used car lacks the aforementioned legal certificates, it is classified as a prohibited sale vehicle and cannot undergo transfer registration. In practice, there have been cases where vehicles were seized by public security authorities due to the lack of a motor vehicle safety technical inspection compliance mark, making transfer impossible. Consumers can demand contract termination, vehicle return, and refund.
I've sold cars several times, and I feel that a vehicle's accident history does have a significant impact. Especially major accidents—buyers tend to hesitate upon hearing about them, leading to steep price cuts or even difficulty in selling. Minor scratches are acceptable, but if the frame is damaged and not properly repaired, it can leave hidden risks, such as unstable driving or safety hazards. I recommend honestly disclosing the accident history; otherwise, if buyers discover discrepancies during inspection, it could lead to serious trouble or even disputes. Additionally, the quality of repairs is crucial—getting the car fixed at a reputable shop and providing a repair report can slightly boost the price. Insurance records also play a big role; if an accident was claimed, buyers may become more cautious when checking. So, it's best to handle accident cars sooner rather than later—don't delay.
As a buyer, I always steer clear of accident-damaged cars due to concerns about safety issues and subsequent malfunctions. Accidents may damage the chassis or structure, and if repairs are inadequate, problems like oil leaks or poor handling can emerge within months. If the seller conceals the accident history, it further erodes my confidence, leading to aggressive price negotiations or even walking away from the deal. After researching market trends, I've found that minor accidents can justify a 10%-20% price reduction, while major accidents may halve the value—pristine, unblemished vehicles are always the gold standard. I recommend conducting thorough inspections before selling and transparently disclosing repair details to attract knowledgeable buyers. Additionally, the vehicle's age plays a role—accidents have a greater impact on newer cars, while older vehicles might be more forgiving.
