Buying a used car with an accident claim

[Uncle Buck]

Time to get my daughter a new to her car.

We're looking at 2012 -2015

I'm amazed how many cars have accident claim history on them.

What do you think about buying a car with an accident claim?

Stay clear period?
Stay clear over a certain claim value (how much)?
Don't worry about claims if the car looks to be fixed properly?

[Laffs]

Personal preference. I've owned vehicles after accidents that were repaired properly and never had issues. I know others that claim the vehicle was "never right" after the hit.

For me I'd have no issue buying a car with accident history if:

- I'm buying from the owner directly and they have pictures/documentation on the accident so I can gauge the severity of the damage myself
- I know the body shop the vehicle was repaired at and have an idea of the quality of their repair work
- The vehicle is sufficiently discounted from a clean title item enough so that I know I have a cushion for potential repairs resulting from the accident, and so I'm not upside down in it immediately.
- Vehicle drives right to me

I'd personally walk away from anything with accident damage if:
- It's at a dealer that has no records/information of the accident
- Seller tries to hide the fact vehicle was in an accident
- I can see on the carfax that the vehicle was sold shortly after the repairs were made, possibly indicating that it's been a headache since or repaired subpar

[mavrrrick]

My 300 was hit in August...$6000 + repair and drives as good as pre-accident. Depends on damage done.JMO

[5.4MarkVIII]

As long as done proper you’ll be fine. Keep in mind as well claims don’t always tell you what. Was it a collision or hail. Did someone pop the door lock or smack a window and steal stuff.

All just usually go in as “insurance claim”

[Ghost Rider]

As long as done proper you’ll be fine. Keep in mind as well claims don’t always tell you what. Was it a collision or hail. Did someone pop the door lock or smack a window and steal stuff.

All just usually go in as “insurance claim”

If the police were involved, an accident report should show up at least (I mean if it was indeed a collision) If it was settled without the cops...little harder to track down

[5.4MarkVIII]

If the police were involved, an accident report should show up at least (I mean if it was indeed a collision) If it was settled without the cops...little harder to track down

Sorry didn’t know they were showing accident reports now. Haven’t pulled a car fax in years. Remember it was all just “insurance claim”

[hammerhead]

I use the steering wheel for judgement - if it sits in the correct position and drives straight likely ok - purchased my daughter a car the claim was 6000 looking at the car it appeared to be all cosmetic (mind you the paint work had many short cuts and although it looked good at the start paint began to peel in the repaired areas) - car runs good and she still has it 3yrs now - one word of caution some lenders wont lend if the claim exceeded x amount... but yes really hard to find a used car with out a claim - especially the smaller used car dealers - best of luck!

[Ponyryd]

I use the steering wheel for judgement - if it sits in the correct position and drives straight likely ok - purchased my daughter a car the claim was 6000 looking at the car it appeared to be all cosmetic (mind you the paint work had many short cuts and although it looked good at the start paint began to peel in the repaired areas) - car runs good and she still has it 3yrs now - one word of caution some lenders wont lend if the claim exceeded x amount... but yes really hard to find a used car with out a claim - especially the smaller used car dealers - best of luck!

No offence, but steering wheel means little to nothing to determine the quality of a car. I could make a car go dead straight if it was a Mustang with a Camaro rear half welded on, it’s not that hard, lol. On the other hand a light hit on a curb can throw the wheel off center.

As stated it depends on the hit, and the body shop, some hits are no big deal, others are a walk away situation.

[hammerhead]

No offence, but steering wheel means little to nothing to determine the quality of a car. I could make a car go dead straight if it was a Mustang with a Camaro rear half welded on, it’s not that hard, lol. On the other hand a light hit on a curb can throw the wheel off center.

As stated it depends on the hit, and the body shop, some hits are no big deal, others are a walk away situation.

none taken - salvage vehicles and frame straighteners is a whole other license from a typical body shop - the car could be dead straight but the steering wheel could be a little off, a good indication of the type of damage and after some use other neglected or missed problems will likely rear their ugly heads....if the front half of your mustang camaro concoction never had front end damage then no steering wheel issues will be present at first glance....

[Ponyryd]

none taken - salvage vehicles and frame straighteners is a whole other license from a typical body shop - the car could be dead straight but the steering wheel could be a little off, a good indication of the type of damage and after some use other neglected or missed problems will likely rear their ugly heads....if the front half of your mustang camaro concoction never had front end damage then no steering wheel issues will be present at first glance....

Well, that’s very far from accurate actually, cars that steer from the rear will throw the wheel off center big time, which is why a 4 wheel alignment is industry standard