Learn How to Spot Hidden Vehicle Damage
Take a look at this video. It shows how a vehicle that has sustained major collision damage in an accident can be repaired and then resold to an unsuspecting buyer. CarMax the Nations largest used car retailer says car shoppers can learn to spot the evidence that a car has been on a serious accident with a sharp eye.
Basically the vehicles are built from the factory, they are made to withstand one accident. Anytime they time put the car back together and do that after spending that action, the structural integrity of the car has been compromised, so there is no telling how that car is going to hold up in a second accident. So that is why as a company, we choose not retail vehicles with structural integrity issues and why we stay away from cars with frame damage.
Most consumers do not know the biggest warning sign that a vehicle has been in a major accident. According to a CarMax online poll, 72% of respondents thought repainting was the top indicator of major vehicle damage. In fact it is the evidence of clamp marks that is the number one indicator of a major accident.
Clamp marks can look like holes or gashes on the vehicle’s frame. They are made when a seriously wrecked car is put on a straightening machine and pulled back in line. Car shoppers should look for other signs as well.
If you look at the first piece here this is actually the core support on the vehicle and this piece is actually then replaced. They are both stern here on either side and if you look at the color, the color is a little bit brighter than the rest of the interior pieces that is why is a little bit an indicator that it has been replaced.
Although paint work is not as big of an indicator major vehicle damaged and inconsistency in the finish should raise a red flag.
There has been paint work. There is a very faint line here that you can see and sometimes that line is faint like in this car or sometime it really like rough and you can feel it with your fingernail, where a body shop is actually put down tape, has done some paint, when they lift the tape, it leaves a faint line. And paint works not always an indicator the car has been major accident but what you combine the course port, the bumper being replaced and hood being replaced and basic paint will come entire front in, that would raise and concern your some questions in my mind if I was the consumer.
Clays also says to look under the hood for more tell-tale signs.
Another thing has been replaced on this vehicle here is the hood. As you can see the bolts have been turned on, on either side and they basically put a brand new hood on it. There is no sticker at all from the factory which is an always an indicator but it is an indicator on this particular remodel.
CarMax’s other tips include—to listen for any peculiar engine noise. Make sure all the doors and windows closed properly. Watch the odometer click off miles during your test drive and be sure to get an auto history report which CarMax offers for free.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services