[Car Tips] How to distinguish between an accident car and a flooded car? Tips to learn when buying a used car
1. How to identify an accident car?
1. Observe the appearance structure
- Body sheet metal : Check the gaps between doors, hood, trunk lid, etc. to see if they are of different widths or uneven gaps.
- Car paint color : The color varies in depth in some areas, and there are rough particles or orange peel on the surface. This may be due to touch-up or repainting.
- Welding points/screws : Check the original welding points on the door frames, engine compartment, wheel arches, etc. to see if there are any signs of grinding, repainting, or disassembly or assembly.
- Headlights and bumpers : Check whether the fixing screws have any signs of disassembly and whether the plastic parts are of different ages.
2. Check the chassis and structural parts
- Chassis rust and deformation : Vehicles that have been seriously involved in accidents often have chassis repairs, deformations, or obvious differences between the old and new parts.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) : Check for any abnormalities such as wear, re-engraving, welding, etc.
3. Test ride
- The steering wheel is tilted and the vehicle body is driving crookedly : there may be structural damage.
- The doors and hood switches get stuck : poor fit is also a sign of accident repair.
2. How to identify a water-damaged car?
1. Olfactory test
- Odor : There is a strong smell of mold, decay, disinfectant or fragrance in the car, which may be to cover up the smell of water.
2. Observe the interior details
- Carpets and seat cushions : Lift up the carpet and underneath the seats to check for sand, water stains, rust, or replace old ones with new ones.
- Seat belt : Pull it to the bottom and check for water stains and mud.
- Wires and plugs : If there is green oxidation or rust on the internal electronic parts, it is very likely that they have been soaked in water.
3. Electrical system inspection
- Electrical appliance abnormalities : such as flickering lights, abnormal operation of the central control, air conditioning, and audio systems.
- There are traces of fog and water accumulation on the dashboard .
3. Tips for buying a used car
1. Choose a reputable seller or platform
- Avoid vehicles of unknown origin and abnormally cheap prices.
2. Check vehicle registration information
- Check the vehicle history, accident record, and insurance claim record at the inspection station.
3. Ask professional technicians/third party for appraisal
- Please ask a professional technician or a third-party inspection company to accompany the appraisal to avoid misjudgment by naked eyes alone.
4. Request a performance bond or vehicle condition warranty
- More reliable used car dealers will provide a warranty or a certificate of no major accidents.
5. Keep written evidence
- During the transaction, the seller is required to clearly state "no accidents, no water damage, no major repairs" in the contract to protect their own rights and interests.
4. Quick Lookup Table
| Inspection items | Abnormal signs of accident vehicles | Abnormal signs of flooded cars |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet Metal Clearance | Uneven width and unevenness | No obvious signs |
| Car paint | Different colors and roughness in some areas | No obvious signs |
| Solder joints/screws | There are traces of disassembly and repair | No obvious signs |
| Chassis | Rust, cutting, repair welding | Extensive rust and sediment |
| interior | normal | Mildew, sand, water marks |
| Electrical | normal | Abnormal, short circuit |
| Odor | none | Musty, aromatic smell |
When buying a used car, it is better to spend more time checking it than to be greedy for cheap and suffer a big loss . If you need a more detailed inspection list or a car purchase contract template, please feel free to ask again!
