Are you considering buying a damaged car domestically to repair it later? Or perhaps you want to import a damaged vehicle from abroad, from Western Europe or the USA? You need to know what has been damaged and the total value of the damage. These are crucial details when importing a used car that’s been damaged.

Most buyers want to purchase an accident-free car. Thanks to our service, they can check the VIN number for free and find out if the car has had any recorded damages. But our service offers many other features. When purchasing a premium report, you receive detailed information from us about the car’s damages and their value. How is this useful? Let’s explain.

I want to buy a damaged car to repair it and have a newer car for less

How does this work? In rich countries (such as Western Europe, the USA, the United Arab Emirates), customers don’t always want to repair their cars after an accident. Why?

• Because the cars are insured, and after an accident, the owner returns the car to the insurer and buys a new one.
• Because repair costs are very high. In cases of major damage, repairing the car isn’t worth it.

Of course, don’t believe this is a rule. This is only the case with  wealthy people. In the USA, Germany and in other countries there are unscrupulous sellers too, who weld, use bodywork fillers and re-paint, and repair cars at low costs to sell them to less affluent buyers.

Many damaged second-hand cars are imported by dealers who buy them from owners, junkyards and auctions. In most cases, the dealer prefers to spruce up the car (instead of repairing it) and put it up for sale as accident-free. But there are also individuals and companies who sell damaged second-hand vehicles.

So what happens next? The car is repaired at a workshop. There are many firms that can do almost anything, such as the renewal of airbags or pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners.

If you handle everything well, you can get a car that is significantly cheaper than a similar accident-free one. However, remember that its accident history may deter other buyers, if you want to sell the car later. They only need to check the VIN number for free on Crash Status.

What you need to know about a damaged car before buying it

You need to know its technical condition and the total value of damage. Make sure that the car’s damage has not been declared as total damage, which would qualify it for scrapping. How can you do this remotely? How do you check a damaged car before purchase? How do you assess the value of damage?

• You need to get the car’s VIN number. The seller should provide it in the ad. If not, ask for it.
• Use our service, Crashstatus.com. Purchase a premium report for the given VIN. You will receive all information available in major insurance databases worldwide. You’ll be able to view the damages the car sustained in the accident, the value of those damages and even photos, if the insurer has provided them.

This will help you decide whether to buy the vehicle.

Never buy a damaged car that…

• …has been written-off (total loss);
• …is severely damaged, leading to extremely high repair costs;
• …has experienced such a severe hit that it has been crushed on one side;
• …was hit on one of its wheels – suspension mount displacement is irreparable, therefore the car will always cause problems;
• …has a heavily damaged front end, leading to the displacement of the engine  assembly;
• …is a damaged electric car– any damage to the underbody qualifies it for the scrapyard. A single damaged cell in the battery can ignite the battery. The same applies to hybrid vehicles with an integrated battery, such as PHEVs.
• …is rare in the European market, such as Indian or Chinese vehicles. Importing parts could ruin you.
• Remember, some car manufacturers have very few replacement parts available.
• Repairing a premium car can be very costly, making the entire operation unprofitable. Check part prices.
• Damaged body and chassis parts (e.g., control arms) made of aluminum cannot be repaired. Remember, aluminum isn’t only used in premium cars; the Audi A2, for example, had an aluminum body.

Use our service to check the total value of damage, which will help you to decide whether buying and repairing an accident-damaged car is worthwhile.