What are the methods to identify whether a used car has been in an accident? (No answer)
2 Answers
Methods to identify whether a used car has been in an accident include: 1. Inspect the exterior of the car body for signs of paint waves on the doors and front/rear fender surfaces, check if the paint color and gloss are uniform, and see if there is any paint residue on the surrounding rubber seals; 2. Open the hood and run your fingers along the edges—it should feel naturally straight, smooth, and not rough, indicating it is one-piece. Also, check if the hood locking mechanism is deformed or misaligned, and if the hydraulic struts are failing or not functioning properly; 3. Examine the welding points where the radiator frame and fender upper longitudinal beams meet. The welding points should be slightly rounded and slightly recessed. If the welding points appear raised, irregularly shaped, rough, or unevenly spaced, it indicates re-welding, proving the radiator frame has been impacted; 4. Observe the front bulkhead to see if the upper edge is straight and whether there are obvious signs of repair on the upper edge of the bulkhead separating the engine compartment and the passenger compartment.
When helping friends check used cars, I usually focus on several key details. First, I look for any color discrepancies in the paint, especially around doors and fenders – repainted areas on accident vehicles show obvious differences. Next, I examine the welding spots near the VIN; factory welds are uniformly neat, so any signs of re-welding raise red flags. Engine bay screws also require scrutiny – disturbed screws show paint damage. Last time I spotted completely missing paint on a neighbor’s hood screws, which revealed a rear-end collision history. Finally, always inspect the undercarriage – repaired frame rails show visible wrinkles. These checks require flashlight-assisted scrutiny; never rely solely on the seller’s claims.