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When purchasing a used car there are many things to look out for, one of them being whether or not this vehicle has been in an accident.

There are many different signs to look for. Check the alignment of body panels and doors. Does the gap between the fender and the hood not seem right? Does the gap seem to be different on one end versus the other?
Open all the doors and check to make sure that they open and close properly. Does the door hit the fender upon closing? Do you need to lift or push the door down so that is closes all the way?

Looking at the paint closely will also give you an indication. Paints are mixed when they are used. Even if it is the same color it will be slightly different. How the paint is applied can also affect the color quality. If it is applied heavier it can make the color darker and lighter will make it lighter. Check your panels and door jambs and check to see how the color matches. You should also check the door jambs and wheel wells to see whether or not you can see tape lines or overspray. You also should check to see whether or not there are any drips or runs in the paint.

Check for smooth lines in the body panels. Sometimes it is very hard, even for the most experienced technician, to follow all those difficult curves. Check one side of the car and compare it to the other.

One other thing that you can check is carfax. Carfax doesn't always have accurate information, but it is at least a start. If you obtain a carfax and it lists an accident it will save you time looking for the signs.

A reputable and quality auto body technician will have little to no signs. It definitely shouldn't cause a huge concern if the vehicle has been in an accident, but it should be something that you would want to know. As long as the vehicle was repaired properly everything should be okay.

Remember, just because there are signs of an accident it doesn't always mean that it was in one. Sometimes parts of the cars have been repaired for minor things like scratches. If there was a rust spot that was repaired this would also make it seem as though it was in an accident.

Learn more about this author, Sarah E. Sanuth.
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