Does Rear Longitudinal Beam Straightening Count as a Major Accident?
2 Answers
Rear longitudinal beam straightening counts as a major accident. Accident vehicles generally refer to those with structural damage. The classification of accident vehicles is as follows: 1. Minor accident vehicles: If the damaged parts of the vehicle are replaceable components (such as front bumper damage, headlight damage, front fender damage, etc.), it is considered a minor accident. Such vehicles are not what is commonly referred to as accident cars, but they may depreciate in value to some extent. 2. Major accident vehicles: If the damaged parts of the vehicle are non-replaceable areas (such as longitudinal beams, rocker panels, A/B/C pillars, etc.) and can only be repaired through straightening, cutting, welding, etc., then it is considered a severe accident vehicle.
I've helped repair quite a few cars at the dealership, and rear frame rail straightening definitely counts as a major accident. Think about it - the rear frame rails are the core skeleton of the chassis, just like a human spine. Once they're deformed and repaired, the entire vehicle structure is compromised. During repairs, they need to be stretched and straightened, and if the technique isn't precise, you'll likely experience abnormal noises or pulling while driving afterwards. Inspection standards clearly define this kind of structural damage as a major accident vehicle, meaning its resale value plummets by at least 30%. When owners come for repairs, I always emphasize checking the accident history thoroughly - don't just go for a cheap deal and end up with a problematic car, otherwise you'll be driving on highways with constant anxiety. There was one case where severe chassis corrosion appeared just days after the repair, doubling the maintenance costs - it would've been better to just replace it with a used one from the start. In short, when facing such issues, get professional evaluation immediately to avoid future troubles and safety hazards.