Many drivers shopping for used cars in Smyrna, DE don’t want a vehicle that has been in an accident. Fortunately, there are a few ways to tell if a car has been hit before. Our team is offering some valuable used car shopping advice.

Panels That Don’t Line Up

If a vehicle had to be repaired due to a collision, there may have been panels and other large parts of the car that needed to be removed completely. When these parts are replaced, they should look uniform with the rest of the vehicle.

If it looks like parts of the car don’t line up how they should or if things don’t look uniform, then a car was probably in an accident. As an added bonus, the repair job was not all that well done!

Paint That Doesn’t Match

Even a minor accident can cause a significant amount of paint damage. Body shops do their best to match the original paint colors when making repairs, but sometimes they fail. If you notice that some parts of the car seem to be of a different color, that could be a sign that it was in an accident.

The Presence of Aftermarket Parts

If it looks like parts have been replaced before the lifespan of the previously used parts should have ended, that could be a sign that the car was in an accident and that it needed new components as a result.

The Test Drive Feels Wrong

A test drive could reveal problems like a bumpy ride or pulling to one side when braking. Issues like these could be signs of underlying damage from an accident.

If you’re looking for a used vehicle that you can depend on, visit our Dodge dealership near Dover, DE. We would be happy to help you find a reliable pre-owned car, truck, or SUV that you’ll love.