How to Tell If a Used Car Has Been in an Accident

Purchasing pre-owned vehicles from used car dealers can often save you a great deal of money. While perusing used cars for sale in Townsville, however, you may be wondering how to know if a car has been in an accident before. Let's look at seven telltale signs that a car's been repaired following an accident. 

Misaligned Body Panels

Every external part of an undamaged car should line up perfectly. If you find that any of the doors, bonnet, boot, or bumpers are slightly misaligned with the panels, then there may have been some repair work following an accident. 

Mismatched Paint Work

Likewise, paintwork should be perfectly uniform all the way around a car. Following an accident, it can sometimes be difficult for an unskilled driver or technician to repaint the damaged part in exactly the same hue and shading as the rest of the car, so mismatched patches of paintwork are usually a red flag.

Dissimilar Headlights 

Headlights should also be exactly aligned in an undamaged car. If you notice the headlights are misaligned or dissimilar in any way, then one of them may have been repaired following a collision. This includes the headlight lenses, which should have the same amount of haziness from ageing if neither one has been replaced. 

Uneven Tire Wear

If any of the tires show uneven wear, it might indicate an underlying problem resulting from an accident. Misaligned wheels or chassis damage could cause uneven tire tread wear. 

Cracked Windshield Glass

Sometimes a collision can cause tiny cracks to the edge of a car's windshield which get missed or ignored during the repair job. Search the rim of the windshield carefully for small cracks. Also, peel up any stickers on the glass to make sure they're not hiding a crack. 

Unusual Sounds 

As you test-drive a used car, listen carefully for any unusual sounds that may result from collision damage. Any odd tapping, knocking, grinding, rattling, squeaking, or squealing sounds could point to an underlying problem. 

Malfunctioning Electronics

Make sure you test all the electronic accessories before buying a car. Not only do you want each component to be functioning well, but an electronic fault may have been caused by flood damage. Flood damage will often also leave a lingering damp smell behind. 

Test-Drive Used Cars for Sale in Townsville 

Needless to say, always test-drive a used car before you consider buying it. Not only will this let you know how well the vehicle works and handles, but it may also reveal signs of hidden damage from an accident.

Only Buy From Trusted Used Car Dealers

For your own peace of mind, it's best to always purchase a used car from a licensed dealership that can ensure the vehicle has no defects from prior accidents. The experienced technicians at your local Ford dealership are far more likely to find any indications of repair work in used cars than most drivers. 

After an accident, cars sometimes never fully recover, especially if the repair job was sub-par. But if you bear the aforementioned tips in mind, you're sure to notice signs of accident damage and find yourself a pre-owned vehicle in tip-top condition.