Used car buyers have been urged to check for signs the model they are interested in has been damaged. (Image: Getty)
Motorists considering have been urged to make one check that can help them avoid models with a hidden history.
While many motorists like to act quickly to get behind the wheel of a , highlighted the importance of before they buy it.
In particular, a company spokesperson urged all drivers to look for signs that the they want to buy has previously been .
They advised: “Well over a third (36%) of drivers admit to not before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Although a car can once again be made roadworthy after a serious accident, it can lead to recurring issues and have serious implications for a vehicle’s lifespan.
“It’s always worth checking insurance records to see if a car has a history of accidents. Motor finance providers such as Close Brothers Motor Finance ensure that the history of a vehicle is checked before a finance package is provided, thus reducing the chance of any costly surprises further down the line.”
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So long as a vehicle has a valid MOT, it can be repaired and made roadworthy without inspection. (Image: Getty)
Vehicles in a serious accident are usually registered as Category N for non-structural damage or Category S for structural damage.
However, as long as the vehicle still has a valid MOT, it does not need to undergo another inspection to gain roadworthiness, meaning that sellers could conduct a cheap fix to sell their car for a profit.
In addition to a potentially higher risk of breakdowns, drivers who buy an unknowingly damaged car could find it more difficult to control in an emergency and less safe in the event of a future accident.
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Drivers were advised to use a history checking service to see if it was previously written off. (Image: Getty)
Consequently, before viewing any used cars, drivers should check the number plate using one of the many online vehicle history services.
In addition to highlighting previous MOT test results and confirmation that the vehicle has never been exported or registered as stolen, many of these services can tell if the car was previously written off.
Some companies, such as carVertical and Carly, will even show users if the car they are interested in was sold at a salvage auction, supplying photos of any damage the model had previously sustained.
When they view a car, drivers should check its history and carefully inspect the bodywork panels for irregularities.
Motorists looking for a clean car must examine the gaps between each panel. If one of these gaps is inconsistent, starting thin and becoming wider, it is a sign that the car has been repaired after a serious accident.
Bodywork panels with a slight colour mismatch can also be a sign that the vehicle has previously had a partial respray or replacement parts.