What Kind of Accident Makes a Car a Salvage Vehicle?
2 Answers
All non-removable parts that have been deformed due to collision are considered as salvage vehicles, such as damage to the front longitudinal beam, damage to the A, B, or C pillars, or damage to the trunk floor. Generally, such cases are classified as salvage vehicles. Salvage vehicles are categorized into major accidents and minor accidents. A major accident refers to damage to the vehicle's body structure and important components. A minor accident includes small incidents like scratches that do not affect the body structure. Methods to identify a salvage vehicle: 1. Check the glass: Observe whether the production dates of all the glass match the vehicle's manufacturing year. If not, the glass has been replaced, possibly due to an accident. 2. Check the gaps: Inspect whether the gaps between the body panels are uniform and whether the vehicle's waistline is smooth and natural. If there are noticeable differences in gaps or the waistline is obviously uneven, it may indicate collision or scraping, requiring further investigation. 3. Check the fenders: Look for signs of repair or wrinkles on the inner edges of the left and right fenders and check if the screws show signs of being tampered with. 4. Check the radiator: Open the engine compartment and inspect the radiator frame for repair marks or tampered screws. 5. Check the filler: Examine the wheel arches for repair marks and whether the filler is applied neatly. Uneven application suggests repair. 6. Check the firewall: Look for deformation, wrinkles, or cutting marks on the firewall. If present, it may indicate a major accident. 7. Check the trunk: Open the trunk and inspect the floor and rear panel for repair, welding marks, or wrinkles. Also, check the rear fenders and shock absorber brackets for smoothness and welding signs. 8. Check the A, B, and C pillars and seals: Open the doors and remove the factory seals. The door frames and pillars should be straight, with factory weld points slightly rounded and recessed. The lines from the roof to the sill should be straight and naturally curved. If doors are hard to open or close, or seals are damaged and loose, it suggests multiple removals. Rough or uneven weld points on the A, B, or C pillars, or color differences in paint, indicate impact damage to these pillars. 9. Check the chassis: If possible, lift the vehicle and inspect the chassis. The front and rear longitudinal beams should show no wrinkles or deformation, and the entire chassis should be uniformly dirty. If the front longitudinal beam has rough surfaces, welding marks, or overly bright paint, it suggests severe impact.
This is actually quite particular. As an experienced mechanic who often helps others with car repairs, a salvage vehicle is one that has been severely compromised due to major accidents. For example, cars that have been rear-ended too hard, rolled over, or hit something solid enough to damage the frame or chassis—these all count as salvage vehicles. If the airbags have deployed, it’s definitely a big deal, indicating the impact was extremely severe. Even after repairs, the internal structure may have cracks or weakened integrity, making it risky to drive. Common accidents include high-speed collisions with trees or being rammed by trucks, leading to body deformation or suspension system damage. Even after being fixed, these cars are prone to issues like strange noises or rust. So, salvage vehicles not only compromise safety but also suffer a steep drop in resale value. Always check the vehicle history before buying—don’t just go for the cheap price.
