How is an accident vehicle defined?
3 Answers
An accident vehicle is defined as a vehicle that has suffered damage from non-natural wear and tear incidents, resulting in decreased mechanical performance and economic value. A car is considered an accident vehicle if it meets the following conditions: 1. Vehicles impacted and damaged in the engine compartment: Vehicles that have been impacted, resulting in damage to the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, vehicles with fender damage exceeding one-third of their area, and vehicles with welded, cut, reshaped, or deformed longitudinal beams. 2. Vehicles whose airbags have deployed due to impact: Vehicles with welded, cut, reshaped, or deformed shock absorber mounts, vehicles with obvious welding, cutting, or reshaping on the ABC pillars, and vehicles whose airbags have deployed due to impact.
I've been in the used car business for ten years, and I know all about accident vehicles. Simply put, they're cars with compromised structural frames! For example, those with straightened frames after a collision, replaced radiator supports, or entire rear panels that have been cut and welded. Damage to these structural components is like broken bones in a human body—even after repairs, the vehicle's rigidity is compromised. Also, be extra cautious with cars that have had deformed A-pillars or B-pillars repaired through panel beating, or roofs that were cut and fixed. The most concerning are flood-damaged cars—their wiring and chassis get corroded by water, and even after repairs, they might malfunction unexpectedly. I recommend buyers bring a paint thickness gauge for inspection; areas with abnormal readings are likely to have been in accidents.
Having worked in insurance claims for so many years, there are actually clear standards for what constitutes an accident-damaged vehicle. Simply put, any vehicle that has undergone repairs to structural components qualifies. When assessing damage, we primarily check whether core areas such as the frame rails, suspension strut towers, and firewall have been deformed and repaired. If the airbags have deployed, the windshield along with the A-pillar has been damaged, or the frame rails have been realigned, it is 100% considered an accident-damaged vehicle. Even operations like rear quarter panel cutting, though not classified as major accidents, will have the repair method noted in the records. Such vehicles often suffer from wind and water leaks, as well as abnormal noises later on, and their insurance premiums are significantly higher than those of regular vehicles.
