Why You Should Care About Accident Damage
Buying a car with hidden vehicle damage isn’t just about losing money; it’s also about your safety and peace of mind. Here’s what you’re risking:
Safety Issues: A car that has been in a serious accident may have frame or structural damage that makes it unsafe to drive. Even if it looks fine outside, the body may not protect you in another crash. Also, airbags might fail to deploy, and the steering or suspension could be compromised.
High Repair Costs: When a car has been damaged by an accident, it could affect the undercarriage, engine components, or electrical system. These damages may look small but can become a major expense tomorrow. Sometimes, these problems don't show up until weeks or months after you've bought the car.
Poor Resale Value: When it's time to sell the car, buyers will inspect the car. If they discover accident history or poor repairs, they'll either walk away or decide to pay a lesser amount for the car. Truth is, accidented cars always lose value, even when they’ve been repaired.
How to Spot Hidden Accident Damage on a Used Car
When doing a vehicle pre-purchase inspection, here are some simple things to look for when buying a used car:
Uneven Paint or Mismatched Color
Walk around the car in good daylight and check if all panels match in colour. If a door or fender looks lighter or darker, it’s a sign the car was repainted after an accident.
Go ahead and run your hand over the surface. If the factory paint feels smooth, but repainted areas often feel rough with tiny bumps called ‘orange peel.
Also, look closely at rubber seals and window edges; if you see paint marks there, that’s a sign of bodywork. Anytime you notice repainting, ask the seller why it was done.
Panel Gaps and Misaligned Doors
Open and close all the doors, bonnet, and boot; they should move smoothly and close with a solid ‘thunk,’ not a loose rattle.
Compare the gaps between panels on both sides of the car; if one side looks wider or narrower, that panel was likely removed and replaced after an accident.
Panels that don’t sit flush or line up properly are a clear sign of past bodywork from car bumper damage or crash repairs.
Airbag and Dashboard Warning Lights
When you switch on the ignition, all the dashboard lights should flash briefly and then go off. If the airbag light stays on or doesn’t come on at all, it could mean the airbags were deployed in a past accident and never replaced.
This may be a bit hard to spot because some sellers remove the bulb to hide that the airbags were deployed. You can also check for other warning lights like ABS, engine, or transmission that refuse to go off, as these can signal hidden vehicle damage.
Checking the airbag is important because any issues with it can be dangerous and very expensive to fix.
Welding Marks or Fresh Underbody Work
Check under the car and pay close attention to the frame rails (the long metal beams under the sides). Welding marks, bent or crumpled metal, or patches that look different from the rest are clear signs of accident repair.
Also, fresh paint or undercoating in certain spots is suspicious because sellers often spray underneath to cover welding or rust.
It's important to know that fixing an undercarriage damage is hard. Mechanics who claim to fix it just patch it up. This can affect the car’s safety and durability.
Strange Noises When Driving
Take the car on a test drive over different road types and listen carefully. If you hear rattling, clunking, or squeaking over bumps or when turning corners, that could mean suspension or frame damage from a past accident.
Pay attention to the steering; if the car pulls to one side or the wheel vibrates, it may have a bent frame or misalignment. A car with damage undercarriage will usually make strange noises, especially on rough Nigerian roads.
What to Check Inside the Car for Hidden Damage
Aside from examining the car physically, you could also check out some things in the car. This would help you confirm if the car has any damage.
Here's what to look for:
Seatbelt Wear
Pull out all the seatbelts and check for fraying, stretching, or discoloration; these can be signs that they locked up during an accident.
If a low-mileage car has worn or stiff seatbelts, it’s suspicious because seatbelts only get that kind of wear from crash impact, not regular use. Also, make sure each belt retracts smoothly; if it sticks or doesn’t roll back properly, it could point to past accident damage.
Dashboard Cracks
Check the dashboard, especially above the airbag compartments. Cracks, splits, or uneven panels can signal that airbags deployed in an accident and were poorly repaired.
Even if airbags were replaced, the dashboard often shows damage or misaligned plastic, so run your hand across to feel for rough or uneven areas.
New Upholstery Hiding Damage
Be cautious if seats, carpets, or door panels look brand new in an older car; sometimes, sellers replace them to hide water damage, stains, or mold.
Lift the floor mats to check for rust, water stains, or dampness, and make sure the seat covers match the overall age and wear of the interior.
Spotless new upholstery in an otherwise used car can be a red flag, especially for flood damage in imported vehicles.
Don’t Get Cheated — Do These Checks Before You Buy
Before paying for that car, take time to inspect it properly. A few minutes of checking can save you from spending hundreds of thousands on hidden repairs later. Look closely at the paint, panels, and seatbelts, sniff for musty smells, take it for a test drive, and confirm that all warning lights work as they should. Don’t forget to check underneath for welding or fresh paint, and always verify the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) before buying.
Don't let any seller rush you. If you spot more than one red flag, walk away. There are plenty of good used cars out there that haven't been in accidents and won’t cost you money or give you problems.