Shop owner spots evidence of a major rear-end collision in a year-old Honda Civic sold by a dealer
If you’re not sure how to check used cars for prior damage, this one’s for you. Dave Bell posted a quick walkaround of a 2023 Honda Civic a customer brought in from a dealer. The car was for sale, and Dave’s shop, based in Centerville, Utah, was to inspect it. With each passing second of the reel, the car’s prior damage was revealed like layers of an onion.
First, though, let me be clear that dealerships – and anyone, really – can sell a car that’s been wrecked. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, if you’re buying a car with prior damage, it’s important to be able to confirm what damage was done, whether it was properly repaired, and if the car is indeed safe for you to adopt without worry.
“Maybe you’re OK with that…”
As soon as he begins the exterior inspection, Dave immediately spots gaps in the body panels. If you can fit your finger between panels, that’s an indication that they shifted during a collision. A nearly new Honda shouldn’t have uneven spaces between the trunk, the rear body (or quarter), and the rear bumper.
The shop owner also pointed out some leftover buffing compound on the right rear door. He pops the trunk and sees torn molding. It gets worse from there. He lifts the spare tire cover and sees glue on the lower body pan. There are also some large dents in the pan behind the rear bumper cover.
This vehicle has clearly been in a rear-end collision.
Walking around to the front end, Dave points out more panel misalignment. This time, it’s where the right fender, hood, and front bumper cover meet. To me, this indicates that the Civic was sandwiched between two other cars during its collision. Considering the rubbing compound on the right rear door and the dents in the right side of the rear lower pan, I’d wager the car was hit at an angle in the back.
At best, the dealer disclosed this damage, and the buyer is more interested in a mechanically sound car that might come with a lower price tag after this accident.
If a seat belt doesn’t retract, that’s a dead giveaway
Moving on to part two, Dave gets ready to test drive the Civic.
Dave says to check that all the dash lights illuminate and then shut off after you start and run the car. Sit and wait for the vehicle to idle some before moving.
Check the seat belts. If one of them doesn’t retract, this is a sure sign that the vehicle’s airbag was deployed at that seat. This also means that the repair facility that handled the damage failed to complete the repair. Seat belts are designed to quickly snap tension and hold a passenger against the seat in the event of a collision. The belt should never be slack going back into its feed.
Use all five senses
Look for odd panel alignment, signs of obvious repainting or rebuilding, and dash warning lights. Listen for strange or “struggle” noises at idle. When test driving, check for unusual steering sensations, like when transitioning in and out of the parking lot.
These are all areas you can check yourself before you bring a used car in for a pre-purchase inspection. This will be at least a three-part series, so we’ll stay tuned.
