Signs that a car has been in an accident 

On Behalf of | Sep 14, 2022 | Auto Dealer Fraud

Many consumers across America still opt to buy used cars. There are numerous benefits to this, most notably the price tag of a used vehicle. If you’re buying from a used car dealer, then they have a duty to act honestly and with integrity. They cannot go out of their way to hide facts about the vehicle that could put you in any sort of danger. 

Unfortunately, some car dealers do attempt to pull the wool over your eyes. They may try to patch up a car that has previously been in an accident and sell it to you. How can you tell if the vehicle you are looking at has previously been in a crash?

New components that look out of place 

When buying a second-hand vehicle, it’s important that you carry out an inspection of all the components of the car. This includes taking a look underneath the vehicle. During an accident, the underside of a car often takes a lot of damage. It’s difficult to replace this section of the vehicle with used parts, so new parts will often be installed and they will stand out on a second-hand car. If the components on the underside of a used vehicle are shiny and new, it could be a sign that something isn’t quite right.  

Does the paint job tell you anything? 

The panels of vehicles are designed to crumble during a collision and absorb as much of the force as possible. Sometimes, these panels can be repaired and resprayed after a crash, but often, they need to be replaced altogether. It’s actually extremely hard to match the color of either brand new panels or those that have been resprayed. Even in the best-case scenario, the colors will be slightly off upon closer inspection. This is something to keep an eye out for when purchasing a secondhand vehicle.

Used car dealers should not act fraudulently when trying to make a sale. If you purchased something under false pretenses, then there are options open to you. Seeking some legal guidance will help to put your mind at ease.