Published by Programme B
Car owners looking for budget options often find the ideal choice in used cars. However, the second-hand vehicle you are planning to purchase may have been involved in an accident. As a car owner, you would be in a dilemma–whether to agree to the purchase. Of course, you would consider factors such as the car’s condition, legal issues, insurance policy for the vehicle, etc. Although the vehicle has some sort of damage record, would it be logical to make the purchase?
Did you know that you can use the instance of damage to the car as an excuse to lower the insurance premiums? In case you want to purchase car insurance in Edmonton, make sure to consult a reputed insurance specialist like Surex. Professional guidance will help you stay on the right track while purchasing the car and insurance therein.
Why Does Damage History Count?
Firstly, you should know where to look. If you find a little scratch or dent on a used car, it clearly tells an accident story. If the accident’s impact is unknown, it might significantly affect the vehicle’s performance. Often, quick inspections fail to determine these consequences.
For example, you might find a small bump near the rear end of the car. Although the cosmetic damage to the vehicle looks insignificant, its suspension may have been damaged.
This explains the value of a thorough damage inspection before you purchase a used car. Make sure to reach out to a reputed mechanic to detect possible flaws. Although it doesn’t fully warrant the vehicle’s optimal performance, you would get the basic idea.
Calculating The Perks And Cons
Before you purchase a used car, make sure to calculate the perks and cons of the vehicle.
1. Quality Of Repair
This is one of the prime inspection aspects before you give the nod to the seller. First, make sure that the airbags are in good condition. Consider hiring an inspector to examine all the parts. This will certify that the right components are in place even after the accident.
2. Title Status
If the cost for repairing a damaged car is more than the present value, it would have a salvage title issued. However, if the car fulfills specific criteria, the authorities would issue a rebuilt title. Now, many insurers may not provide coverage for cars with these titles. Therefore, you should refrain from investing in cars with these tags.
3. Resale Value
You may buy with the intention to sell the car after a few years when you can afford a better one. However, just like you, the next owner may also find out about the accident. Therefore, it might be challenging to sell your car, given the accident in the past. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in a car with a high resale value.
What To Do Before Purchasing A Used Car?
Here’s a competent to-do list to follow before purchasing a used car:
1. Check Vehicle History
Get a report of the vehicle history from the respective authorities. This will provide you with details on every aspect, starting from registration to damages sustained during accidents. Also, take a note of the time when the car was sold. In case you find the date of the accident and transaction too close, it might be a warning sign.
2. Hire A Licensed Mechanic To Inspect Your Car
Reach out to a licensed mechanic for a complete interior and exterior evaluation. In addition, it pays to carry out a damage inspection before the purchase. Experienced professionals carefully examine all the nitty-gritty of the vehicle, allowing you to make a confident purchase.
Make sure the professionals inspect how apt the repair work was after the accident. You might encounter problems after a few months if a reputed mechanic did not do the repair. Always purchase from a trusted seller to be on the safe side.
3. Test Drive The Car
If you are satisfied with the condition of the car and damage record, request the dealer for a test drive. Practically examining the condition of the vehicle would ensure that you have every function up and running. Keep your ears open for noises when you drive the car, as these would indicate the vehicle’s health. Do not overlook the mileage; 19,000 kilometers is considered to be the average mileage per year.
Try To Reduce The Insurance Costs
Before the transfer of title for the used car takes place, you need to get the vehicle insured. But, of course, accidents would affect the insurance premiums that you need to shell out.
- In case the car was involved in a minor accident, it might have undergone simple repairs. This primarily includes scratches and scrapes to its body. You can use this opportunity to bargain and get a fair deal from the insurer.
- However, if the vehicle has undergone a significant accident, it wouldn’t be a good idea to purchase it at all. These cars are often sold with salvage titles. Given their safety aspects and high costs involved in repairs, many insurers may not accept the vehicles for their policies.
Should You Purchase A Used Car Involved In An Accident?
As mentioned above, you may benefit from the lower costs when you purchase a car involved in an accident. Besides, the insurance premiums would also be slightly lower in case of minor damages. Therefore, it makes sense to channelize your funds for purchasing cars with minor damages. However, it won’t be a good idea to purchase a heavily damaged car.
Even if you decide to purchase a car with minor damage and get them repaired, make sure to scrutinize the damage record. You need to decide depending on the usability of the car after repair, maintenance costs, and chances of snags in the future. It would be logical to purchase from a reputed local dealer.
Endnote
Purchasing a used car comes with several benefits, as long as you do not compromise your safety and driving experience. However, it might be intimidating to bargain for a low insurance policy for cars with minor damages. In such cases, it would be a good idea to reach out to an insurance specialist. With a professional consultation, you can get an idea of how much you should fork out for the premiums.
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