Buying a previously damaged car?

Stormtrooper · 04-12-2003, 03:03 PM

I'm looking at buying a 00' Honda Civic that's been in an accident where it was hit from the rear and had its rear bumper and backlights replaced. I know that buying a previously damaged car is always a risk, but this Civic was hit from the back and the only things that needed to be replaced were the back lights and the back bumper. I'm concerned about reliability, but it seems that if the car was hit from the back, most of the mechanical parts should still be in working order.

Does anyone know if there will be problems buying a car that was hit from the back?

Thanks.

bachviet · 04-12-2003, 03:26 PM

As long as no damage was done to the structure of the car, it should be okay.

Stormtrooper · 04-12-2003, 03:41 PM

Will my insurance be more expensive if the car I'm buying has been previously damaged?

dave · 04-13-2003, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stormtrooper
Will my insurance be more expensive if the car I'm buying has been previously damaged?

I doubt it. You should just give your insurance agent a call; he/she should be able to tell ya exactly how much you'll be paying for your new car.

att · 04-13-2003, 01:08 PM

the insurance will not be higher but watch out:
1) the frame may have been bent and the owner doesnt know or is dishonest. go to a body shop and have the car checked. even minor frame damage can be grounds for totaling the car because if you get into another accident, the car might fold in half.
2) check the pink slip. it may show that the car is salvaged, which means it was totalled by his insurance co and the dmv, and he is being dishonest about the condition of the car.

it is ok to buy a salvaged or damaged car, i have. but you have to make sure you are paying a fair price...a salvaged car is worth half the price of a car in good condition, maybe less.

Jabberwocky · 04-13-2003, 05:31 PM

I think a salvage title doesn't really mean it's total junk. I think you get that if the ownership of the car is transfered while the car is in a undrivable condition.

Generally, I'd stay away from cars that have been in accidents, you don't know what damage has been done to the structure or if it has been weaken.

TERRIBLETOM · 04-16-2003, 04:06 PM

I salvage title is usually given if the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company, then it is repaired by your friendly neighborhood auto dealer, by law they cannot sell it without a salvage title. If you really like the car check out these few things. Open the trunk and lift the trunk mat, inspect the spare tire well and also the entire flooring of the trunk. Also crawl underneath the vehicle, what you are inspecting for is wrinkled panels and panels or frame rails with big kinks in them.

bachviet · 04-16-2003, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TERRIBLETOM
I salvage title is usually given if the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company, then it is repaired by your friendly neighborhood auto dealer, by law they cannot sell it without a salvage title. If you really like the car check out these few things. Open the trunk and lift the trunk mat, inspect the spare tire well and also the entire flooring of the trunk. Also crawl underneath the vehicle, what you are inspecting for is wrinkled panels and panels or frame rails with big kinks in them.

Sometimes salvaged titles are given to cars, which were not involved in accident, but were stolen and stripped.

TERRIBLETOM · 04-16-2003, 06:32 PM

These vehicles are still deemed a total loss by the insurance company and by law require a salvage title.

04-12-2003, 03:03 PM	#1
Stormtrooper Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 50	Buying a previously damaged car? I'm looking at buying a 00' Honda Civic that's been in an accident where it was hit from the rear and had its rear bumper and backlights replaced. I know that buying a previously damaged car is always a risk, but this Civic was hit from the back and the only things that needed to be replaced were the back lights and the back bumper. I'm concerned about reliability, but it seems that if the car was hit from the back, most of the mechanical parts should still be in working order. Does anyone know if there will be problems buying a car that was hit from the back? Thanks.

04-12-2003, 03:41 PM	#3
Stormtrooper Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 50	Insurance Will my insurance be more expensive if the car I'm buying has been previously damaged?

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04-12-2003, 03:26 PM	#2
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	As long as no damage was done to the structure of the car, it should be okay.

04-13-2003, 01:08 PM	#5
att Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: bay area, ca Posts: 780	the insurance will not be higher but watch out: 1) the frame may have been bent and the owner doesnt know or is dishonest. go to a body shop and have the car checked. even minor frame damage can be grounds for totaling the car because if you get into another accident, the car might fold in half. 2) check the pink slip. it may show that the car is salvaged, which means it was totalled by his insurance co and the dmv, and he is being dishonest about the condition of the car. it is ok to buy a salvaged or damaged car, i have. but you have to make sure you are paying a fair price...a salvaged car is worth half the price of a car in good condition, maybe less.

04-13-2003, 05:31 PM	#6
Jabberwocky Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: I don't exist. I'm a message posting bot. Posts: 229	I think a salvage title doesn't really mean it's total junk. I think you get that if the ownership of the car is transfered while the car is in a undrivable condition. Generally, I'd stay away from cars that have been in accidents, you don't know what damage has been done to the structure or if it has been weaken.

04-16-2003, 04:06 PM	#7
TERRIBLETOM Commander Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,261	I salvage title is usually given if the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company, then it is repaired by your friendly neighborhood auto dealer, by law they cannot sell it without a salvage title. If you really like the car check out these few things. Open the trunk and lift the trunk mat, inspect the spare tire well and also the entire flooring of the trunk. Also crawl underneath the vehicle, what you are inspecting for is wrinkled panels and panels or frame rails with big kinks in them.

04-16-2003, 06:32 PM	#9
TERRIBLETOM Commander Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,261	These vehicles are still deemed a total loss by the insurance company and by law require a salvage title.

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