Should I buy a car that has been rear ended? What should I ask the mechnic to Check?

Question

THe car is a 2003 Nissan Sentra. What should I have checked? The truck and sides do not allign properly but I'm not worried if this is the only problem? What about the frame, gas tank shocks etc? Is there anything else I should check with a car this year? The dealer says no liens but the deal seems a bit too good.

Answer 1

This is the kind of car you Daddy warned you about! Run away from it and don't look back! Don't even bother to take it to a mechanic.

The kind of damage you describe spoils all aspects of a car, from frame to body finish, and it only gets worse with time. It will affect tire wear, and, over time, things like the differential if it is out of kilter just a bit. You just can't put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Sounds like the investment in fixing this one has been small if they're selling cheap. Why take on someone else's grief?

These types of cars are often totaled by an insurance company, but sometimes mechanics or others buy them on the cheap, and try to straighten frames, do body work, etc and sell at a big profit (even though it may seem cheap to you).

Answer 2

You say that the "sides do not allign properly, and your Not worried if this is the Only problem.....
That is exactly THE PROBLEM!!
The axel of the vehicle is obviously bent and basically will only go down the road Sideways...This is not a good thing...Hense it being such a good deal....You can't Fix an axle... Dealers will tell you anything as long as they can talk you into Buying..
I suggest that you look elsewhere and have someone with some knowlege go with you and check out whatever you find.

Answer 3

You SHOULD worry if those don't line up properly! That's a unibody car (no frame) and if those don't align properly it wasn't properly repaired. If the dealer is asking more than about 40% of the blue book value, move on to something else.

It's also likely that it either has a salvage title or the title was illegally "washed" through a state that doesn't have salvage titles.