How to Find Out If a Car Has Been Wrecked

When shopping for a new-to-you vehicle, one of the first questions you may have for the seller is, "Has it been wrecked?" In many cases, the seller may answer, "No," even if the vehicle has been involved in an accident. For this reason, it's best to protect yourself to ensure that you aren't buying a previously wrecked or rebuilt vehicle. There are a few ways you can go about doing this.

Instructions

Vehicle History Reports

1

Determine which vehicle history report service you want to use. The two major services are Carfax and Autocheck, which is offered by the credit-reporting agency Experian. An additional competitor is Instavin, which offers history reports by text message. If the vehicle you're looking at is for sale on a dealer's lot, you may be able to get the dealer to provide a Carfax report for free.

2

Get the car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). You can locate this 17-digit serial number beneath the driver's side part of the windshield; it's also visible on the driver's doorjamb. Visit the website for the vehicle history report service that you want to use, and follow the directions to enter the VIN and pay for your history report.

3

Review the history report carefully. If the vehicle has been involved in an accident, and that accident has been reported to the service you're using, it will show up on the report. Look for anything suspicious, such as "Accident Reported" or "Body Shop Work Performed." Sometimes, more details such as the extent of the damage will be listed. If the vehicle's history report is clean, still proceed with having the vehicle inspected if you want to determine whether it has been in an accident or has had body work.

Inspecting the Vehicle

4

Walk around the vehicle, examining the body panels carefully. Check the width of the door and panel gaps. They should be even all the way around. If one body panel seems out of whack, it could be a sign that the vehicle has been in an accident and has been repaired.

5

Check the paint carefully, making sure it isn't brighter or duller in some spots than others. Also, be on the lookout for "orange peel," which may indicate that the vehicle has been repainted. Orange peel is just thatit looks like the surface of an orange. This isn't necessarily a sign of repainting, as some new vehicles have a certain amount of orange peel; it depends on the manufacturer's painting process.

6

Bring the vehicle to a certified mechanic or body-shop professional. He will be able to inspect the vehicle more thoroughly and determine if it has been in an accident and/or had body work. Ask him to lift the vehicle and check the frame for signs of damage or repair as well.