How Can I Tell if the Vehicle I Am Buying Has Been in the Body Shop?

By:Mike Briglia

Buying a car or truck as you already know is a big investment. For some of us who don't own our own house, it is most likely our largest investment. So when we shop for that used car or truck it is natural that we we want to know about the vehicle we are getting. Has it been in an accident? Were there any major repairs done to the vehicle?

These are important questions. A used car dealer may know the history of the vehicle, but most of the time the cars and trucks that you see on a local car dealer lot come from auctions and your dealer will not know the history. At least half of the time you trade in your vehicle it will end up at a dealer auction. And MOST of the time you turn in your leased vehicle it will end up at auction. So how are we supposed to know what happened to this vehicle that we are eying? What am I getting into here?

The first thing to do is to go to either end of the car and squat down at the corner, such as by the tail light, and look straight down the body of the car, down the body line starting with the quarter panel, down the doors, and right up the fender. Notice the shine or reflections that you are getting off of the paint? That is where you want to start. Are there sections shinier or flatter than others? Does everything line up? Are there any ripples at all? It should look like a nice mirror reflection. If the surfaces of each panel look different, this could be an indication of poorly done body work.

Next, feel the paint all the way around the car. All of the painted surfaces should feel the same. Feel the bumpers and the hood. These are common spots to repaint. Are there any spots on the car that are a little rougher than another? If so, then you have good reason to be suspicious.

If a car has a pinstripe or graphic kit, look along the edge of it to see if a body shop painted part of a body panel. One trick a painter will use to save some work is to only paint part of a panel (if they can get away with it) and only repaint a small area that was most significantly affected by body work. If that is the case, the painter will probably do his masking right next to a pinstripe and try to paint either above it or below it. He will use the stripe line as a stopping point for his paintwork. Feel the edges of the stripe. Do you feel a sharp edge? It's probably been repainted then.

Finally, always look for hints of over spray or an old color that give away an undisclosed paint job. This requires checking door jambs, under the hood, in the trunk and under the gas cap door. Putting in a little extra time while shopping for your vehicle can save you a lot of time and money down the road.

Best of all, buy a used car from someone you trust, be it a dealer or an individual. And never, ever jump at a deal that seems too good to be true. It almost always is.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: cars, trucks, auto accessories, truck accessories

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Mike Briglia is the owner of Custom Auto Trim, specializing in body kits and car and truck graphics, and is based in San Diego CA. Find more information on auto accessories at http://www.customautotrim.com/

Top Cars and Trucks Articles
1). 2008 Chery QQ: Sneak Peak! By : Matthew C. Keegan China’s Chery Automotive Group is getting set to import as many as five vehicles into the US starting in the summer of 2007. These 2008 models are reportedly going to be cheaper than competing models in their respective classes, undercutting some models by as much as $10,000 per car. I have been doing a little investigating and have learned more about the Chery QQ, the three door compact that will retail for just $6995.
2). Geely Cars: Gotta Get One? By : Matthew C. Keegan I mentioned in a related article that the first batch of Chinese built cars to be imported to the U.S. is only a few years away. In that article, I discussed Chery Automobiles and how the company has its designs on the American market, particularly in the entry level category. Well, now a second manufacturer – Geely Automotive Company – is also planning on bringing at least one model to the U.
3). Why Ford Motor Company Is Losing Market Share Fast To Hyundai By : David Maillie Ford is fast losing market share to automotive companies like Hyundai. This article shows why and what Ford can do to turn themselves around before it is too late. Someone should definitely email this to Fords executives before it is too late.
4). How To Avoid Auto Repair and Service Scams By : David Maillie There’s a reason why auto service stations have one of the largest numbers of complaints with state attorney generals in every state. Some uphold good business practices and ethics, but most, unfortunately are all about profit and don’t care if they have to lie and cheat to get it.
5). Ford Focus Is 'Comfortable And Versatile' By : Kwik Fit The UK's best selling car at the moment; the Ford Focus, is a comfortable and versatile mode of transport, according to the manufacturers, who claim the latest model is longer and wider than before. With a variety of body shapes available in several trim levels, the Ford Focus costs from £11,395 on-the-road for the three-door 1.4 Studio model, to £19,200 for the 1.
6). 2006 Mitsubishi Raider: A Rebadged Delight! By : Matthew C. Keegan If you were to examine the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad logo centered in the middle of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck’s body and take a look at its styling cues, you would see something different, yet very familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, body, and cabin changes, the Raider is without a doubt a Dodge Dakota.
7). Fuel-Efficient Ford Cars: The New Trend By : Jason Moore With gas prices soaring straight into oblivion, automobile customers and the rest of the auto market are looking for vehicles that would save their pockets from getting into trouble. Studies and research have found out that the numbers are showing that customers are leaning towards those vehicles that would assure them that they would not have to spend much on gas.
8). Jaguar X Type: The Classic Luxury Sports Car By : Jennifer Dylan Built on a modified version of the Ford CD 132 platform, the Jaguar X Type is considered to be just another version of the Ford Mondeo. Take away the badge and the name from the Ford Mondeo and put in Jaguar badges, you would be getting the the Jaguar X Type. In fact the platform which it was built on was just a modified version of the Ford CDW 27 platform which is what the Ford Mondeo uses.
9). How to Create Your Own Vanity Plates By : Kevin Anderson Vanity plates, for some people, are just an added expense, for in some states, they do charge people with vanity plates an annual fee for them. However, there are some people who would opt to have vanity plates so as to show off and tell people more about themselves. Aside from telling people what kind of person they are, vanity plates also serve as channels and media for people to shout out to the rest of the driving world some messages that they would like to get across.
10). 2006 Toyota Matrix: Value Meets Fun By : Matthew C. Keegan During the early part of this decade Toyota was examining its vehicle line up and the decision was made to build a car to entice young people who were looking for something that was small, fun to drive, and affordable. While the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that kind of a car and something radically different was needed.

New Cars and Trucks Articles
1). How To Choose The Right Car Cover That Will Not Damage Your Car By : Gregg Hall Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garage to keep their car in and even if you do you may be like me and have too much junk to be able to park your car there.
2). Peugeot 206cc. Open Cruising With a Little French Flair By : Kerry Plowright The French have long been regarded as the leaders in style, and this reputation is well justified in the Peugeot 206cc (coupe cabriolet).
3). Satellite Radio, the New Frontier in Broadcasting By : Jerry Cahill Do you enjoy more control over your radio listening? If you are willing to pay a small monthly fee you can have a much greater radio listening opportunity.
4). Are Flex Fuel And Biodiesel Viable Options? By : Mike Eggert Once thought of as only a dream, Flex fuel vehicles are fast becoming a reality. The high cost of gasoline and fuels like Diesel have prompted auto makers around the world to start building automobiles that will burn more than one type of fuel.
5). Find Auto Parts Fast and Enjoy Great Savings Shopping Online By : Ray La Foy Money can be saved by replacing these parts yourself, but sometimes trying to find the right parts to fix things up is nearly impossible.
6). Smart Shoppers Save More on Vehicles and Financing By : Ray La Foy Finding the best deals on automobiles will often involve the number and type needed and the kind of credit your company has.
7). How To Get A Cheap Car Rental By : John Layton Always look for the best car rental offer.
8). Should You Go Topless For Your Next Sports Car? By : Gregg Hall Living in Florida we have many days when a convertible is highly desirable, especially in the spring and fall when temperatures are really comfortable.
9). IRS Incentives for Hybrid Owners By : Michael Plante The hybrid car has not come into the world without a shroud of rumors following carefully behind. From rumors of exploding batteries, electrical and digital nightmares, and poorly met expectations letting down consumers, the hybrid has had to struggle to overcome many misconceptions...
10). Rising Car Arson And Insurance Fraud Costs Everyone By : David Maillie Car owners locked into payments they can’t afford with the increasing gas costs and our current economic slowdown have turned to arson to get rid of their debts.