5 ways to tell if a used car has been in a wreck
David Bell started his Utah-based garage more than 30 years ago. This afternoon, he launched a video explaining five ways to tell if a used car has been in an accident. After watching the reel and finding myself agreeing with each point, I think it’s worth sharing here.
Dave decided to create a simple video for viewers after a customer drove in his recently purchased used truck. Unfortunately for the new owner, the pickup’s motor was already toast:
Now, let’s review Dave’s list of ways to tell if a used vehicle has been in a car accident.
1. No tags under the hood
Every car should have printed labels, called tags, on the underside of the hood panel. If these are missing, it’s likely they’ve either been painted over, or the hood was replaced.
2. Bolts and clips missing where things look brand-new
Check the plastic cowling in the front of the engine bay. From my personal experience with collision repairs, you can also look under the vehicle. For instance, check inside the wheel wells for missing fender liner clips.
3. Look closely at body panels
Inspect the bumpers, door panels, and fenders for mismatched paint. Check for poor paint jobs. Run your hands over the panel seams. Make sure nothing is popping out or misaligned.
4. Check for gaps
Specifically, study the trunk, hood, and door panel gaps. You can use your pinkie finger as a gauge. If one side of a panel fits your pinkie and the other doesn’t, there might have been damage that shifted the panel.
5. Look for cheap zip ties and loose or hanging components
Everything should be properly secure. This includes wiring harnesses and plastic panels. Dave is also offering viewers a very thorough used car inspection checklist. It’s similar to a pre-purchase inspection certified mechanics run through when a customer is looking to buy a used car they’re not familiar with. The list includes visual engine checks, road test items, and more. He’s giving it away to folks for just a short time.
