While you can save tons of money purchasing a used car, it’s still a scary proposition. Every year we hear stories about people purchasing used cars that have actually been in major collisions. To be honest, it’s easy for auto rebuilders to fix these vehicles up and put them back into the circulation. Unfortunately, we’re the ones that have to deal with the long term issues.

If you want to look at it on a financial standpoint, the cost to fix it is greater than its value. If this happens then the insurance company will consider it a total loss. If this happens to you, the amount paid will be equal to the value of the car before the accident. Once this transaction takes place, the car is sold at a salvage auction. Then again, you can keep the totaled vehicle. Whatever the case may be, these get fixed, and then are sold for full market value.

Even if you take a close look, you may not be able to tell that it has originally sustained major damage. You won’t always see this on the title either, so it’s important to find out before you decide to buy it. So keep yourself guarded and do the appropriate research. Here are a few examples below:

Check the Title- Since not every salvage vehicle has a notation on the title, you have to look at the wording. If you see things like “scrap,” “parts only,” “unsalvageable,” or “un-rebuildable,” then you have a vehicle that’s been in an accident right in front of you.

You can check the vehicle’s title by utilizing the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This database lets you enter a VIN number to instantaneously check the title and odometer reading of an automobile and find out whether it was ever declared a total loss or reported stolen. This government service is available in most states, and more states are continually adding this service. You can visit the NMVTIS website at nmvtis.gov.

2. Have the vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic. Make sure to choose someone with a background in collision repair. This way you can have the vehicle checked out mechanically and inspected for telltale signs of a prior wreck.

Just Ask- One of the best things you can do is ask the seller if it’s been in an accident. Obviously the seller could lie to you, but their reactions will tell you everything. If by chance they are truthful and tell you upfront, then it’s important to find out what kind of damage the vehicle has had when it was in an accident.

Get a History Report- One of the best things you can do is getting a history report. The two best places are CarFax and AutoCheck. They will offer up all the dirt on any vehicle out there. Unfortunately, not all problems are reported to the state licensing agencies.

Just make sure you’re as thorough as possible when researching a vehicle. All the tips we’ve given you today should help you get an inside look at the history behind the car you’re interested in buying. In order to keep yourself safe, document all your research and conversations you have along the way. If there are any issues you’ll already be able to present a case if it goes to court.

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