In many cases, it’s easy for a vehicle that’s been in an accident to be repaired to an exceptionally high standard. And, while this isn’t wholly a bad thing, for the most part, it’s worth recognising that such repairs can leave you feeling unsure about whether your car has historically been written off.
Of course, a car that has been in an accident may be less valuable than a vehicle that’s never been in an accident. Severe accidents could even leave your car being written off. And so, checking this before buying your car (or if you’ve been concerned about the vehicle’s safety) could be integral. Luckily, we’ve outlined some key things you should know to help you find the ideal solutions for your own vehicle.
How to Check If Your Car’s Been in an Accident
There are numerous ways to check whether your car’s been in an accident. Of course, you should always ask the seller this question directly. However, don’t just take their word for it if they say no. Indeed, even if they honestly believe the car hasn’t been in an accident, there’s no guarantee this is true (especially if they bought the car second-hand themselves). As such, doing a little more research before buying is crucial.
This is where car history checks come in! A car salvage check can help you see whether your vehicle has been written off. This can give you peace of mind that the car you’re buying has no hidden history.
Why It’s Important to Check If your Car Has Been in an Accident
It’s always crucial to check whether your vehicle has historically been involved in an accident. Indeed, while most people generally consider their vehicles to be safe, this isn’t always the case. In fact, in many scenarios, a car that’s been in an accident can be fixed up well enough to mask any signs of damage.
This can be a real problem for several reasons. For one thing, getting insurance on a vehicle with a previous accident history may be more expensive. Moreover, you should always remember that a written off car will usually be worth less, too. Thus, if you have paid a normal price for your vehicle, you could have been scammed if it has been written off.
A vehicle that has been in an accident will often be more dangerous than a vehicle that hasn’t. If the damage has not been properly fixed, this is even more significant, and you may find that the car only runs normally for long enough to get it home before problems start to arise.
Final Thoughts
Buying a new car is always exciting. However, if you buy any vehicle second-hand, it’s possible for the car to have been in an accident in the past. In line with this, it’s well worth taking steps to check that your purchase is genuine. For more information on written off categories see our blog post here.
And remember: even if you trust the seller entirely, it’s possible that they may have been caught out unawares when they themselves purchased the car, and so there’s no such thing as being too cautious. Thus, if you have any concerns at all, make sure you get a car history check before going any further.