Does Replacing a Bumper Count as an Accident Vehicle?
2 Answers
It does not count as an accident vehicle. Below is the expanded content: 1. How to accurately define an accident vehicle: Damage to the engine compartment and the driver's compartment. Rear quarter panel impact exceeding 1/3. The vehicle's longitudinal beams, shock absorbers, ABC pillars show signs of welding, reshaping, cutting, or deformation. Vehicles with deployed airbags. Vehicles with water submersion exceeding half of the body height or water entering the driver's compartment. Fire damage exceeding 0.5 square meters on the body, with non-removable parts showing signs of welding, cutting, reshaping, or deformation. 2. How to identify an accident vehicle: First, inquire with the brand's 4S store's after-sales department to check the vehicle's maintenance and repair records. Check with the insurance company to determine if the vehicle has been involved in accidents. Inspect the wear and tear of the vehicle's interior and check the exterior for signs of repainting or repairs.
Hey, I've been driving my own car for many years and have encountered similar situations. Replacing a bumper is actually quite common, like when you scrape it while reversing into a wall or have a minor collision. Just take it to a repair shop and spend some money to fix it—it's not a big deal. A 'salvage title' or 'accident car' usually refers to a vehicle that's been severely damaged, like with a bent frame or deployed airbags, which affects safety and longevity. Simply replacing the bumper doesn't classify as an accident car because the bumper is an external part that's easy to replace and doesn't damage the core structure. However, if the insurance company reports it as an accident, there might be a mark in the repair records. In that case, you'll need to disclose it when selling the car to avoid misunderstandings. In the used car market, professionals will check the vehicle history report to determine if it's truly an accident car. Overall, don't worry too much about minor repairs, but staying transparent is always good to avoid disputes during transactions.