Would you buy a used vehicle if you know it was involved in an accident?

[kenc]

I'm looking at a 2006 Land Rover LR3 V6.

Carfax says it was in an accident April 8, 2007, but there was no structural damage and no frame damage.

Owner was able to provide all maintenance report from Land Rover shop.

Odo says 91xxxKm and price is $ 21500.

I've read a ton of reviews and done a fair amount of research, the LR3 is what I want. But do I want THIS one?

Would you go for it? Why/ why not? Please share!

Ken

[asifka]

I would buy it.

[TomcoPDR]

What's the book value with the same stats without an accident?

[ddduke]

The only thing that I would think about is re sale value. Personally, I'm not too bothered if it has been in an accident but lots of people are and refuse to buy if that's the case.

Unless you plan on keeping it for a while and selling it at a lower price later down the road, in that case I'd say go for it.

[Pahnda]

I wouldn't worry about it if you're looking at a Land Rover. They're probably more reliable after a crash from just getting stuff knocked around...

[kenc]

The Cdn Black Book doesn't give me a value, but average asking price of similar LR3's are around $ 22-24k.

[CapnCrunch]

I'd buy it if it was at a big discount. I wouldn't pay anything near the retail value.

[revelations]

Originally posted by Pahnda
I wouldn't worry about it if you're looking at a Land Rover. They're probably more reliable after a crash from just getting stuff knocked around...

The crash is the least of its worries.

[Kloubek]

You need to use the accident as leverage for a reduction. It isn't a huge deal that it was in one (many vehicles are), but it *will* hurt the resale when it comes time to sell it. So you might as well have him take the hit rather than you.

['93 SR-V]

Are you able to get your hands on the invoice for the repairs? If not I think carproof provides details like what part of the car was repaired and how much the bill was, etc. If there wasn’t any frame/structural damage I probably wouldn't sweat it though.

[oupzwrongthread]

I would rather buy the vehicle I want that has been well taken care of (accident or not accident) - than to settle for one that has a "clear" record. A few body panels being replaced is not the end of the world. When my S4 was hit, their insurance replaced the bumper, the hood and the headlights - to be honest, I couldn't have been happier lol. That shit looked brand new!

[euro_racer]

I would say ~75% of all the cars on the road have had some type of repair done to them, big or small... I would not worry about it too much if it looks good and it has been repaired properly.

[kenc]

Thanks for all the above constructive comments. So, if it was in an accident, but there was no structural / frame damage (no airbag deployment) , then what the hell could be the accident?

[HHURICANE1]

Dented fender, dented door, there's a million different things that would not affect the value if it was repaired well.

[oupzwrongthread]

Originally posted by kenc
Thanks for all the above constructive comments. So, if it was in an accident, but there was no structural / frame damage (no airbag deployment) , then what the hell could be the accident?

Airbags aren't that touchy - most fender benders have no airbag deployment. My car was hit while it was parked so no airbags in that case. Could be a million things. why don't you just call and ask?

[JRSC00LUDE]

No structural or frame damage then big deal. As long as the work wasn't performed by some hack shop then what do you possibly have to be worried about?

Woudn't think twice.

[kenc]

I test drove it, rides nice, quiet drive as well. I asked about the accident, but since the accident happened with the first owner, this seller (second owner) had no idea what it might have been.

We pulled a CarProof report ontop of the Carfax, and it showed that the collusion claim was $ 573, then there was a misc claim for $ 23xx on the same day (probably the same accident).

I thoroughly checked the vehicle for over sprayed paint (most paint job will leave SOME behind) and found none. So I'm pretty confidence it hasn't been repainted.

I'll bring a mechanic friend to take a second look on Sunday and if everything looks fine, will be purchasing it!

Thanks for all your help guys.

Ken

[tom_9109]

Two claims on the same day could be a rear end collision that then hit the car in front. I wouldn't worry about that little damage.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Yeah ~$3000 in damage is pretty easy to achieve with a fender bender on newer cars these days, parts and labor are not cheap.

[93mr2gt]

$2xxx in repair is nothing...i would be cautious if it was anything over $4000. It depends on which bodyshop they went to too lol