Before buying a used car, there is one item to check. It is neither under the hood nor in the cabin. It is an external detail, visible to the naked eye, which often says it much more than the kilometric counter.
When you buy a used car, you often trust the technical sheet. Year, kilometers, checks carried out, number of owners … But what we don’t look enough is the body. Not just the state of the paint or visible scratches. There is a more subtle clue which, according to the mechanic Chris Jevons, allows us to identify if the car has already undergone a serious shock.
What the expert highlights here is that modern cars are made with millimeter precision. A well -mounted body, out of the factory, leaves no room for chance. “Everything must be aligned perfectly and symmetrically”he recalls. What if not? It may be that the car was entitled to a repair after an accident, not always in the rules of the art.
There are areas that deserve a more attentive glance: the front and rear bumpers, for example. They are often the first to collect shocks. If the car was involved in a hanging, this is where the damage is concentrated. And even if the bumper has been replaced, the traces of an old impact can remain visible elsewhere. “Pay attention to the areas where the panels meet at acute angles, because a bad alignment there may indicate that the chassis or the structure of the car has been damaged and poorly corrected”assures the mechanic.
Another alert signal: the case. If you can take a look (or lamp) under the car, do it. A brand new underlay, visible welds or a brighter sheet that the rest are as many signs that an intervention has taken place. Chris Jevons is categorical: “Welding brands or new metal parts indicate structural repairs, often from an anterior accident.”
For professional sellers, it is normally compulsory to point out whether the vehicle has already been damaged. But some prefer to avoid talking about it, especially if the damage has been repaired without going through insurance. This is why, before signing anything, stay on the lookout for these precious clues.
