What To Look For When Buying Used

Searching for a new car is an exciting time. If you’re buying a used car, it’s best to avoid vehicles with collision damage repaired incorrectly, but how do you know if the vehicle was repaired correctly? An improper repair can affect how a car drives and may even affect the car’s ability to protect its occupants in another collision. If you decide to buy used, here are some things to keep an eye out to spot potential problems.

1. Problems with the paint.

Most collision work involves repainting repaired panels. Most repaint jobs leave some signs that they have been worked on. Make sure the car is clean, a dirty car may be the owner’s way of hiding problems! When inspecting the exterior, look for colors and finishes that don’t match. Walk the length of the car and look at the reflections in the bodywork. Changes in luster indicate a panel has been repainted. Make sure to inspect the wheels; they should show uniform signs of wear. The right-side wheels may have more damage due to curbs.

2. Inconsistent gaps in the body panels.

The gaps between the various body panels on the car should be uniform. When inspecting the panels, if the gaps get wider along the length of the or if a panel gap differs significantly on the opposite side of the car, it could be a sign the car’s had collision damage repaired.

3. Tires are unevenly worn.

Uneven tire wear is usually a sign the car is out of alignment, but did you know that it can also be a sign that the car’s body has been damaged and straightened. A car that’s out of alignment usual pull to one side. If the vehicle tracks are straight, but one or more tires show uneven wear, check to see if the car’s been aligned recently.