rich2342

iTrader: (3)

Hey All,

I know there are some savvy minds here. I am shopping cars at the moment and there is seemingly good price on a car due to prior reported accident.

I have seen and driven the car, but what I don't know is the extent of the prior damage and what was replaced.

Anyone know a sleuth way to track this down via VIN# outside of Carfax etc?

I want to get the shop where it was repaired to call or ask for documentation.

rich2342

iTrader: (3)

Anyone?

mignav01

Can you get a vehicle history report from a dealer? Sometimes they include where and/or how the vehicle was repaired. Also doesn't always cost $

rich2342

iTrader: (3)

Already learned generically via carfax there was a reported animal strike. I want to trackdown the facility to find the extent of damage and what was repaired to asses value and that its not shoddy etc..

dcains

iTrader: (15)

If the repairs look good upon inspection, what does it matter? My '08 got its front bumper and hood clipped several years ago, with an airbag inflation ($7K in damages), and the shop did good enough work that even though I know what was replaced, I can't tell. And, while I have the repair receipt with the parts and labor hours listed, that's all the detail there is. If I were to go back and find the tech 3 years later, he's not going to remember my car over the countless other cars he's worked on. They don't keep detailed records of the procedures, like in a medical chart. Get the car inspected by a professional, and and trust their assessment.