How to Tell a Car Has Hidden or Unreported Accident Damage: A Buyer's Guide

When purchasing a used car, it’s important to identify any hidden accident damage that could lead to costly repairs or safety concerns. Even certified pre-owned (CPO) cars can potentially carry damage from unreported accidents not immediately obvious to the naked eye.

On the one hand, there’s the possibility of minor accidents and fender benders the car was involved with that never reached the level of insurance involvement, but even these relatively small incidents can cause lasting damage that may manifest later in a car’s lifespan. The more serious possibility is a major accident that was dealt with off the books, which presents a much higher degree of potential lasting damage and subsequent mechanical issues. 

In this guide, we’ll provide tips on how to spot signs of hidden accident damage and how to utilize our tools and resources to verify a car’s history. Spotting an unreported accident pre-purchase can not only save you money on repairs and maintenance down the line but can also be a powerful negotiating lever if you decide to go ahead with purchasing the vehicle in question.

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Signs of Hidden Accident Damage

• Mismatched paint or panels: Check for uneven paint or mismatched body panels, which could indicate previous repairs because of an accident. Be aware of more subtle clues, such as overspraying, where the volume and quantity of paint on a component is unevenly applied or paint has spilled over to areas it wasn’t intended to cover, like door jambs or into storage areas.
• Uneven gaps or panel alignment: Inspect the gaps between body panels and doors. Uneven or misaligned gaps may suggest poor repair work following an accident. This can also be reflected in loose components, “tricky” doors that are more difficult to close or even issues like nonworking locks or windows that stick when rolling them up/down.
• Signs of body filler: Look for uneven surfaces or signs of body filler, which may have been used to repair dents or damage caused by an accident. Pay careful attention to hubcaps and around exterior mirrors, areas frequently affected by collisions. 
• Welding marks or uneven metal: Inspect the car’s frame and underbody for welding marks or uneven metal, which could be a sign of structural repairs after a collision. Look for post-manufacture joins and signs of soldering.
• Suspension or alignment Issues: Test drive the car and pay attention to its handling. If it pulls to one side or exhibits poor alignment, it may have suffered hidden accident damage. Listen for any signs of wear or distress from the suspension as well, such as rattling that may indicate strut issues or any metal-on-metal shrieking. 
• Inconsistent tire wear: Uneven or inconsistent tire wear may indicate suspension or alignment issues caused by an accident, particularly if the owner doesn’t provide an alternative explanation. 
• Damaged or replaced VIN stickers: Look for damaged or replaced Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) stickers on the car’s body panels, which may suggest previous accident damage and repairs. In a similar vein, be aware that bumper stickers, decals and other decorative elements are sometimes used to conceal scratches, dents or other accident damage.
• Missing paint on panel screws: This is a great one—check to see if the screws on the vehicle’s bodywork, especially in the engine bay where the quarter panels and headlights are attached, or any visible screws in the trunk, match the exterior paint color. If they are sheet metal rather than your vehicle’s exterior paint color, you know they were likely removed at one point for a repair.

Verifying a Car’s History with Our Tools and Resources

To try and further investigate a vehicle’s history and uncover possible hidden accident damage, make use of our comprehensive tools and resources:

• License Plate Search: By entering the license plate number, you can search for essential information about the vehicle, including registration details, title history and previous ownership history information. 
• VIN Decoder: Decode the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to uncover important details about the car, such as its make, model and production year. With this information in hand, it may be easier to compare the current state of the vehicle against its condition at manufacture and look for discrepancies that might indicate an accident.
• Car Title Search: Delve deeper into a vehicle’s title history to try and reveal any possible issues, such as salvage titles or previous accidents. This is a good way to expose “title washing,” where an owner has improperly concealed a former salvage title.
• Vehicle History Report: Get a detailed overview of the car’s history, including accident reports, previous ownership history and maintenance records. You may discover accidents or repairs the owner hasn’t voluntarily reported or perhaps wasn’t even aware of.
• Branded Title Check: Verify the vehicle’s title status and look for any red flags, such as a salvage title or accident history. A branded title indicates the vehicle has suffered significant damage, which in many cases will affect future reliability and performance, including from flooding.
• VIN Lookup: Access comprehensive vehicle data using the VIN to try and ensure you have accurate and up-to-date information on the car. A VIN is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to get a comprehensive overview of a vehicle’s history independent of anecdotal sources, but be aware it won’t necessarily reflect unreported accidents/incidents.

Making Informed Decisions When Buying a Used Car

When purchasing a used car, it’s crucial to consider all available information and compare different options:

• Vehicle Comparison: Compare multiple cars side by side to help you choose the best used car for your needs.
• Market Value: Determine the fair market value of a used car to ensure you’re paying a reasonable price for its condition and history. If unreported vehicle damage comes to light during an inspection, this has the potential to significantly impact a vehicle’s value.
• Car Depreciation Calculator: Estimate the depreciation of a used car over time to better understand its long-term value.
• Car Research Tool: Gather information on various car makes and models to help you make an informed decision.

Buying and Selling Used Cars with Confidence

Our Marketplace provides a platform for buying and selling used cars with ease. When selling a used car, be transparent about its history and any potential issues to build trust with potential buyers. As a buyer, don’t hesitate to ask questions and request more information about a car’s history, including any hidden accident damage.

Conclusion: 

Detecting hidden accident damage is crucial when purchasing a used car because it can lead to unforeseen expenses and safety concerns. By inspecting the car for signs of accident damage and using our tools and resources to verify its history, you can make an informed decision and ensure a successful experience in the used car market. 

Take advantage of our comprehensive suite of tools to fully investigate a car pre-purchase, and be sure to personally inspect a car. Whenever possible, enlist a professional mechanic or auto expert to also inspect the car prior to committing. Knowledge is power, particularly in the volatile used car market and any time you’re buying a car from a private party.

Bear in mind that just because a vehicle is coming from a dealership or is certified pre-owned doesn’t automatically ensure a clean bill of health in terms of unreported accidents, so do your homework and save yourself some headaches.