When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I liked my 2011 I bought for Mrs GB so much that I was looking for one for my daughter.
I found a 2010 Premium that may be in great shape. CarFax does not show an Accident but does show "Front End Damage" Reported.
Manhattan / and New Jersey area 2015. Last part of VIN ...006577 Black Exterior/Black Interior.
Anyone have any idea about how I can find out about the extent of this Reported Damage? Anyone here previously own this vehicle at that time?
If you have TrueFrame around you or similar service, you may want to check it out. When I bought mine, the original owner had a minor rear bumper incident and had a TrueFrame report that looked at it extensively to see if there was any frame or structural damage. It costs a few hundred dollars but it is a good report to have
Another possibility other than asking the previous owner is if you have someone you know in the insurance industry, you can ask them to pull a report on the accident history at the address.
Depending on the state and available data, the report shows what the insurance had paid out to the owner for damages. While it may not show details as to what parts, the amount paid out should give you a good indicator whether it's worth the risk.
I contacted my insurance agent. I don't have the address and he's unaware of an insurance industry accident search utility by VIN.
I was minorly disheartened that the dealership service dept did not return my call. Maybe I'll check with my local one.
Look for signs such as unusual or uneven body gaps or alignments of body panels. Paint scratches on the heads of a bolt where a body panel mightve been removed. Newer parts that dont show as much wear/rust as the rest of the car. Non-OEM parts are a giveaway as well.
A paint thickness gauge helps as well and is what most dealers use when looking for bodywork on a trade-in. Resprays are typically much thicker than factory paint. Test it on multiple body panels to find a control thickness.
The Paint Spy Accident Detector is a high quality, precision-built tool that quickly reveals hidden body damage, repaint or rust repair. Used by automotive professionals, its Neodymium Magnetic Technology senses the thickness of car paint and tells you within minutes if you should buy the car or walk away.
Keep looking. It’s not a limited production vehicle and they are out there. Expand your search horizon. It’s worth going another hour or two away for the right vehicle than settiling for something worse just because it’s for sale locally.
06-07-18, 07:19 AM
Thinking of buying another GX
Easier to find another.
