When Should You Buy An Accident Car?
Many people shy away from buying accident cars. However, a blanket avoidance of accident cars is not wise. You should judge accident cars on a case-by-case basis. You may land a good deal if you do that. Below are some of the circumstances in which you should consider an accident car.
The Owner Repaired the Damage
An accident car is not bad if the previous owner has repaired the car. Ensure the repair has covered all damage, and the car is as good as its pre-accident status. You should see the repair documents or even talk to the garage that fixed the car. That way, you will confirm that you are not buying a car with hidden damage.
The Damage Is Minor
Most cars suffer some damage at one point in their life. Thus, you shouldn't read too much into a paint scratch or some cosmetic damages. Dents, cracked glass, tire damage are all too common. Just make sure that the minor or cosmetic damage is the only one. A pre-purchase inspection of the car can help confirm the extent of the damage.
You Can Leverage the Damage
An accident affects the value of a car. Even if the previous owner has repaired the car, they should price the car lower than a similar one that hasn't been in an accident. Thus, you should only buy an accident car if you can leverage the past damage to negotiate a good price for the car.
The Seller Is Honest
Anyone selling an accident car should be forthcoming about the damage. The seller shouldn't wait until you suspect damage to provide you with the information. The rationale is that if the seller can hide the accident history, then they can also hide other bad things about the car. Honesty, on the other hand, means that the seller understands the accident isn't a deal-breaker.
The Title Is Clean
Confirm that the car's title is clean before purchase. State laws and auto insurance policies determine when a car's damage is beyond repair. In such a case, the insurance company writes off the car and compensates the owner. Use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm that it doesn't have a salvage title.
Ideally, you should make your purchase from a reputable dealership. A dealership is less likely to sell you a bad car or hide information than an individual seller. Dealers also tend to have good warranties for their cars.
For more information on when to buy a used car, reach out to a local used car dealership.
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