If you are looking for a used car, you want to know what the car’s history is. Any damage is particularly important, because it can have important consequences. How do you know if a car has been damaged?
Anyone who buys an imported car would be wise to delve into the car’s past, as far as possible. Cars are not only imported because they are simply attractive models to resell, but sometimes also because they can be repaired cheaply abroad after an accident and can therefore be sold here at a significant profit. Last year, AutoWeek extensively discussed such practices.
Carfax
Carfax reports that approximately a quarter of percent of used cars imported to the Netherlands have been involved in an accident or otherwise suffered damage in the past. Carfax says it has access to data containing millions of new facts about accidents and damage to imported second-hand cars from countries such as Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Moreover, it is sometimes possible to find out exactly what damage there is and where it was reported. A report can be requested by entering a license plate or chassis number on the Carfax website.
WOK status
If you want to import a second-hand car yourself, it is best to only look at cars that come from official brand dealers. This significantly reduces the chance that it is a damaged car or a rogue dealer. Even if you buy a car with an original Dutch license plate, it can be difficult to determine whether it has been damaged. Checking the so-called WOK status (awaiting inspection) may provide a solution. This status can be issued by the National Road Transport Agency (RDW), a damage expert or the police. This means that the car is not allowed on the road until it has been re-inspected.
This status can be the result of major damage, but that does not necessarily have to be the case. For example, the status may also have been granted because a car has been imported and must be inspected before it receives a license plate. In that case there does not have to be any damage. In other cases, however, it can be a clear warning when purchasing a used car. For example, you can use the AutoWeek License Plate Check to see whether a WOK status applies to the car you have in mind.
Check for yourself whether a car has been damaged
In most cases you will have to investigate the damage history of the car yourself. But how do you do that? A sharp eye can help with this.
-Note (slight) color differences between parts of the bodywork. For example, a difference between the door and fenders can indicate that a body part has been sprayed.
-Check for irregular seams between body panels. Normally you can expect the seams to be even. Are there differences or are parts crooked? Then you must be alert to damage in the past.
-Listen for differences in sound when opening and closing the doors. Does opening and closing the doors on the left and right sound and feel the same?
– Inspect the trunk, especially the area under the spare tire. Does it look ‘straight’? Do you see weld seams or color differences? These may indicate damage repair.
-Check the sills and sides of the doors. Are they the same color and do they appear to be the same age as the rest of the body? Do you see any irregularities there? With poor recovery you often see that these are skipped or treated more quickly, after which a color difference occurs.
Why should you pay attention to the claims history?
Past damage can affect the safety of a car. Minor parking damage is generally not that problematic, but damage that affects the structure of the car is cause for concern. The beams, safety cage and suspension components play an important role in the safety and driving behavior of the car. In extreme cases, you can also notice the latter during a test drive. But if the roof supports of a car, for example, have already been straightened or welded, they always form a weak point in the construction. You don’t want to discover this if you unexpectedly have an accident that puts new strain on this part of the car.
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