Tag: damaged cars

Buying a Used Damaged Car

Just about any time or place you happen to be in the U.S. today there is most likely to be a damaged car auction some place close by. Some people have decided that this just may be the best way to get that car that they have always wanted. Even though they are classed as salvage cars this does not mean that they do not have some useful life left in them. If they only have damage to the body panels from a collision they may still run like a new car. Many people today are looking into buying damaged cars just for these very reasons.

Some places to find more information on these types of car auctions are all around. One place would be your local news paper. If they list these auctions they will usually publish the date and time along with the location and usually the sponsor. Another good lead might be to call a few of the local insurance agents in your area to see if they could give you a few leads on up coming auctions.

The easiest place to find damaged cars for sale whether in an auction or not is probably going to be on the internet. There are sites which list the local auctions all over the country as well as auction sites on line and classified sites which list cars for sale. These sites usually list all of the details that you are looking for, for a particular auction. Some even list the cars that are up for sale as well as the amounts that are bid.

Most of the cars that you find in this manner can usually be had for a very low price; some even say give away prices. Some even advertise that they sell for up to 90% off of the original price which can be deceiving because just being a used car will already have lowered the price considerably.

This however does not mean that you can spend foolishly just because of a lower price. It is just the opposite; it is the time that you really have to watch your budget. after all these are used damaged cars and you do not want to spend too much leaving you with little cash left to make the necessary repairs.

Once that you have found the car that you want to consider one of the first things that you will want to do is to check it over thorghly to determine what condition that is in. You will also want to make sure that it is in good running condition in spite of the apparent damage. What you are trying to do is determine what the needed repairs are going to cost you and how much of the work that you can do yourself.

So that ends our look at buying a used damaged car and what you can expect, whether looking for a used hatch back, or maybe more of a family vehicle like a 7 seater car, the damaged car auction may just be the place to look.

Inspecting Repossessed Vehicles: Tips for Doing It Yourself

Even though many repossessed vehicles are in good condition, you don’t want to skip inspecting repossessed cars for sale before you purchase them. While a knowledgeable mechanic will be able to catch more problems, you can pick out several on your own. Unless you are looking for damaged cars, you will want to spot the problems ahead of buying the car.

1. Begin with the exterior of the vehicle. Look for:

– Paint bubbles, overspray and differing shades that all indicate work has been done on the car, possibly after it has been in an accident.

– Signs of welding on the door frames and trunk.

– Open and close all the doors, noting if any don’t seem to move smoothly. Check the trunk and hood.

– Look over the windshield and windows for any damage.

2.  Move on to inspect the interior. Check for:

– Signs the car was flooded, such as dampness or mold and mildew stains, especially under floor mats and seats.

– The headliner and note its condition.

– Any material that does not look original.

3.  Continue with the systems, lights and power features. Look for the proper functioning of the:

– Heater and air conditioning.

– Interior lights, headlights and turn signals.

– Locks, windows, seats, sunroof, etc.

4.  Next, check the engine by:

– Reving the motor.

– Listening for knocking or unusual sounds as it runs. Deep rattles indicate major problems.

– Looking for new or mismatched bolts and nuts.

5.  Then pull out the oil stick and look for problems, such as:

– Bubbles, a sign of water in the oil.

– Extra thick oil.

– Very dirty oil.

6.  Look at the transmission fluid next.

– It should be light pink.

– Dark brown or rancid smelling fluid is an indication of transmission problems or ones that will develop in the near future.

7.  Look under the car for:

– Any leaks, dripping fluids or condensation.

– Undercarriage staining.

– Gummy soot in the tailpipe.

8. Walk around the car slowly one more time, looking at all parts of the repo car inside and out from different angles to catch anything you may have missed before.

9. Lastly, when buying repossessed cars also check the title to keep from buying salvage cars.