4.Assess the Car's body lines:
Crouch down at one end of the car so you're eye level with the body of the car. Look along the main line down the side of the car's body. This line should be straight and even and the car's paint should reflect normally. An uneven line or distorted reflection indicates that body panels of the car have been replaced or hammered out due to body damage.
5.Examine Panel and Door gaps:
Look at the gaps between each door and the adjoining body panel. The gaps should be straight and an even width from top to bottom. A car that has had auto accident damage will have uneven gaps due to misalignment or replaced panels or doors.
6.Feel the body for Filler spots:
Run the palm of your hand down the body panels of the car and around the corners of the fender and bumper. A car with accident damage will have bumps or uneven spots from filler used to repair damaged areas.
7.Check for Clamp Marks:
Clamp marks around the frame of the car indicate that the car has been on a frame machine, so the car has likely sustained damage that required major repairs to the car's body after an accident.
8.Look for Repainting:
Look closely along the edges of the car's doors and body panels for any nicks, scratches or uneven paint areas. Signs of a different color paint underneath could mean that the car has been repainted after an accident or that a door or panel was replaced and repainted to match the rest of the car.
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9. Check if the Airbags are intact:
An
airbag is a vehicle safety device. The purpose of the airbag is to provide occupant protection and restraint during a crash event. The airbag module is designed to inflate rapidly then quickly deflate during a collision or impact with another object or a sudden deceleration. the question how do tell if an airbag has being deployed, if the seller decide to keep that information from you. There are three things to check are the Airbag Indicator Light, inspect the dash, and the airbag cover.
To check the airbag indicator light for clue of airbag system trouble. Turn the ignition key to the first position, and pause there. You should see all the indicator lights turn on, including the airbag light. Turn the ignition to the start position and start the vehicle. Take note of the airbag indicator light. Normal operation is when the light comes on momentarily and goes out. If the light stays on or flashes, there is a problem with the airbag system, the vehicle might had been in an accident, meaning that the airbag wont work.
When an airbag deploys, the airbag cover splits apart. The split cover can be repaired. Look and feel for any unevenness in the cover. Check for the presence of seams and repainting. If the cover was repainted, it will look "fresh" compared to the rest of the interior. Check the cover to see if it has the vehicle manufacturer's emblem and the SRS (Safety Restraint System) logo on it. Cosmetic airbag covers will not have the emblem or the SRS logo. Indeed, some cosmetic covers will state that there is not an airbag inside it.
Another indicator of airbag deployment is dash replacement. When there is an airbag deployment, both the driver and passenger side airbags will have deployed. Since the passenger side airbag is located inside the dash, an airbag deployment will split the dash open.
10. Check for the Information Placard:
before buying a car, its very important to check if the vehicle has been panel-beated by locating the information placard on door, boot, and bonnet usually attached to it. if missing from any of the parts mentioned, it means that the vehicle had being in an accident.
Therefore, every car buyer, should first make a checklist of all these points when making that crucial choice over the car they intend to purchase, to avoid been swindled of their hard earned money.
