how can i find out if the car i want to buy has been wrecked before i buy it?

Answer 1

www.carfax.com

Answer 2

http://www.carfax.com and run the VIN number. Visually there are also tell-tale signs such as slightly misaligned body panels. This you can check by studying the gaps. If they are not exactly even the car has been wrecked and body panels replaced.
Check the inner fender well...it should be straight unless the car has been wrecked. This you check by popping the hood and looking at the left and right sides of the engine bay.
The only exception is for antique or classic cars that have been restored. If the body panels were removed during restoration they might not have been aligned perfectly when the panels were reattached.
Checking for bondo is not always a good indicator since some body shops opt to replace the entire panel rather than bondo it.

Answer 3

Actually the best tool for finding out is your eyes. Look at the vehicle for signs of major repairs. Often times they are rebuilt and then registered in a state that doesn't really keep track of salvage titles, and then with a good title from Florida, it's brought across state lines and a new title issued making it look clear and clean. A good body shop can tell you if it has been wrecked and repaired.

Answer 4

Carfax is a good tool but will tell you NOTHING about your car unless it was involved with insurance when it was repaired, meaning an owner could have trashed it and paid out of pocket to have the car rebuilt. Your best defense is to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified auto body tech. The car needs to be elevated and possibly have some trim pieces removed for detailed inspection. remember, if it was wrecked and repaired PROPERLY, it will make no difference in performance, just price.

Answer 5

Car fax is a good source, also look @ the title (pink slip, ownership papers) and see if it's stamped salvage or parts. That is a sign the car was total and someone said that they were buying it for parts. An old fashion way is have a small magnet with you and place it on the fenders, truck, hood, side doors and see if the magnet sticks. if it doesn't there could be bondo filler. even though the body may have been painted to cover the repair.

Answer 6

often, the seller will even pay for a car fax for you in order to sell the car quickly.

but beware, only over $500 worth of damage fixed by a professional is required to be reported. take the car to a good, trusted mechanic to inspect the car. they can SEE where the car may have been repaired from a wreck and possibly never reported. if someone has connections, they can avoid reporting such damage. unfortunate, but true.

Answer 7

Go to carfax.com. They'll charge you money, but to me, it's better to do that instead of ending up with a car that's had major body work repair and could end up costing more in repairs than what you paid for it in the first place. Good luck!

Answer 8

check the title
blue titles have never been wrecked.
green has.