2nd hand accident-free car... how to check?

[Suze]

Thinking of getting a 1-2 years old used car. Almost all cars claim 100% accident-free... but are there any ways we can check to verify that? Pls advise. Thanks!

[Picanto]

STA and Viacom got such car inspection service. its not cheap though.cost hundreds of dollars.

[Dgwee]

If the 1-2 years old used car has not had a total respray, you can try Vicom's Car Evaluation Service for used cars.

 

http://www.vicom.com.sg/evaluate.htm

 

They have an instrument to measure the thickness of the paint throughout the entire body so if certain area has been resprayed, you can tell from the thickness. I am not sure if they still have this paint measuring service as part of the evaluation package.

 

However, a lot of car dealers do not consider body/paint touch up as accident (which will also give a thicker paint finish). So you must be very careful to define what is your expectation of accident-free. Many years ago when I bought a used car, the dealer claimed it was accident-free but I later discovered the front fender and door was quite extensively touched up. I could not go after the dealer because even Vicom was not willing to be my witness to say that the car was involved in an accident.

Edited March 24, 2007 by Dgwee

[Focusdude]

Apart from conducting physical checks (chassis alignment, steering bias, damaged undercarriage) which can be non-conclusive, it is also possible to check with IDAC for cases of serious accidents which were reported for that particular vehicle. Minor accidents are usually not reported and therefore not verifiable with any enforcement/administrative agencies. Another unorthodox means is to check with the previous owner of the vehicle that the agent is selling although getting hold of such information may not be easy.

[Vit4wd]

Perhaps "Sony" can advice?

[Ben0704]

like what Picanto say, there is sure service available. but dealer usually is not willing to send the car over for check. after you purchase it and send over, might be too late as well.

Edited March 25, 2007 by Ben0704

[Shull]

i rem there is a 2nd hand car dealer in ubi car mart that sends their car to inspection at vicom the moment they recieve the car from the previous owner..after which, they show the cert prominently on the windscreen..

[Suze]

great... what's the name of the dealer? or which floor are they located at?

[Ben0704]

agree with you that some dealer do it in order to secure the trust from the buyer. i seen it as well.

[Sony]

I have given up on checking.. buy new car better...

 

nowadays, accident or not is not impt. it's the warranty that count.

 

For the initial 1-2years, parts for "accident" cars are usually new parts, so unless the chassis is out, the car is generally ok ...

[Suze]

but is the vicom cert trusted? or the car dealers had done some 'work' to it??

[Sony]

but do they provide the checklist from vicom and what sort of check did vicom do? If I'm not wrong, there's different type of check..

[Shull]

yup..been there and saw the cert before..complete with the checklist from vicom..

[Ben0704]

http://www.vicom.com.sg/gold.htm

http://www.vicom.com.sg/platinum.htm

 

they offer 2 type of check. take a look.

Edited March 25, 2007 by Ben0704

[Suze]

unsure of wether to buy a new vios at 51k or a less than 2 yr old vios at 40k. this is taking into consideration that the 2 y.o vios has higher COE at approx 18-19k. probably drive it for about 2-3 years before scrapping it for another car.

 

in terms of $$$, which option makes better sense??

[Ben0704]

get the new "new vios"(facelift) rather than an old "old vios" would be my choice.

[Sony]

Hard to say..depends on the market condition 2 years later when you sell off.

 

For now, based on you driving for 2-3years, take the resale..

 

but the saving might have to be use for quite a few parts replacement.

 

My colleague's 2 year old vios need suspension change liao but still got warranty to cover..

Edited March 25, 2007 by Sony

[Sony]

ahh.. thanks for the link.. I did read about it sometimes ago..

 

maybe I can use it when I sell mine..