Is a Car That Has Hit Someone Considered an Accident Vehicle?

[LaAlessandra]

It depends, mainly on the traffic police's determination. Generally, if a car has hit someone, it is mostly considered an accident vehicle. Here is some relevant information about accident vehicles: Definition of an accident vehicle: First, observe whether the gaps between the body panels are uniform and consistent, and then check if the side body lines are smooth. If you find that the waistline is noticeably uncoordinated, you can conclude that the car has been involved in a collision, and a relatively severe one at that. Hazards of an accident vehicle: Vehicles involved in major accidents usually leave traces on the frame, which are difficult to fully repair; once a vehicle that has been in a major accident is flooded, the circuits and electrical components can suffer very serious damage.

[SebastianAnn]

I don't think a car that has hit a pedestrian necessarily counts as an accident vehicle—it mainly depends on the extent of the damage. Just last week, I helped my neighbor check his car after it hit a pedestrian. There were only some scratches on the front bumper, and after replacing it, the car was fine. The frame wasn't damaged at all. On the other hand, my cousin's car rear-ended someone last year, and the A-pillar was deformed—even though no one was hit, it's still a serious accident vehicle. The key is to check the repair records: if the airbags deployed, the frame was welded, or the radiator support was replaced, then it's definitely an accident vehicle. When buying a used car, I recommend checking the insurance records and inspecting the chassis yourself—don't just take the seller's word for it.

[McVictoria]

From the perspective of used car evaluation, the identification of accident vehicles is primarily based on the "Technical Specifications for Used Car Appraisal and Evaluation." Hitting a pedestrian is just one type of accident; the key is whether it caused damage to the vehicle's frame. For example, a minor scrape with a pedestrian might only require replacing the bumper and wouldn't classify the car as an accident vehicle. However, if the impact was severe enough to deform the longitudinal beams or deploy the airbags, even if no one was killed, the car would still be considered an accident vehicle after repairs. I often remind buyers to pay attention to repair marks on the "four beams and six pillars," especially checking for uniform welding spots. Such vehicles should be avoided no matter how cheap they are, as their safety is significantly compromised.

[VanAustin]

As a seasoned driver, I consider this type of car psychologically a salvage vehicle! Last year, my friend bought a car that had hit a pedestrian at a low price. It looked well-repaired on the surface, but there were always strange noises when driving. Later, it was discovered that the subframe wasn't properly aligned—a hidden flaw that's hard to detect during inspections. Pedestrian accidents often involve significant impact, increasing the likelihood of hidden chassis damage. My advice is to spend more on a transparently clean car rather than touch these ill-fated ones. Specifically, check the accident report: if the pedestrian was sideswiped, the damage might be minor; but if it was a high-speed frontal collision, the engine compartment is likely compromised.