Rear impact collision could mean the person behind them waiting in line to drop off their kid at school bumped into them and cracked a taillight or bumper cover. It also could mean they could have been waiting at a red light and somebody going 40 mph didn't stop in time and hit them causing much worse damage. If it was me and I was really interested in the car, I'd inspect in the trunk and under the rear looking for any crinkled sheet metal or evidence of cut's and welds. If what you find hints at enough damage that it could have compromised the safety of driving it, walk away. If it hints at a minor collision like my first example, see if they will knock a bit off the price.
[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 07-30-2017).]
Only if they put it on the lift and there's no structural damage, and $30,000 is significantly discounted from the car's original price. Why pay $30,000 if similar good models are $32,000?
When I sold my Magnum a carfax showed a front end collision. I scratched the bumper and broke a headlite. I bought a Trans Am that had a carfax for front collision. It had scratched paint on the bumper cover. I think carfax is a waste of time and worthless for those reasons.
Only way to judge for yourself is to examine it in person or have someone you trust do it.
I seldom ever bought a vehicle that didnt lose me money. So resale value if I want to drive it doesnt mean much to me. Resale is only if I intend to flip it. The TA I bought was super low mile, one of 1200 made and I only had to spot in a scratch on the bumper cover. Carpet and seats still had factory plastic on them. I got a super good deal, I thought at dirt cheap...with the intention to flip it fast since I heard TAs and Camaros were easy sells for good money. Wrong, I lost over $1000 and it took me most of a year to get that.
Our current vehicle is a rebuilt title. It was in a rear end collision that pushed it into the car in front of it. Front and rear bumper covers plus the new front grill and underlying support structures for the bumpers that needed replaced, pushed it over into being totaled by the insurance. The car lot bought the care and repaired it getting it inspected and having it turned into a rebuilt title instead of a salvage title. basically, they went to a auto recycling facility and got the bumper cores, front and read bumper covers and front grill. All from salvaged vehicles. They replaced it all and had the parts painted to match. It has been one of the best cars I have ever owned. Yes at 187,000 miles the #4 piston blew into pieces but that was near 200,000 miles on that engine. I bought a used engine with about 37,000 miles on it and am still driving it today. I love the car. When we decide to buy something newer to replace it, the car will become the shared car for our 2 daughters who are about to get their licenses. My wife and I have been discussing what we are going to do. I kind of want to pick up something a little newer for us but at the same time I really like the car. We've been considering a Mazda 3 hatchback since it's what replaced the Protege5, or some other newer hatchback ( Focus, Golf or any other we see that we like ). Or, we have been considering buying something a bit older for the girls to drive so if they get in an accident, it's not a big loss ( Grand Prix or something along those lines ). Either way, letting the rebuilt title Mazda Protege5 go isn't on the table.
Would you buy a $30,000 car that shows it was in an accident, but still has a clean title (not a rebuilt title)? It has been repaired and looks good from the photos, just wondering if I should even go look at it now that I looked at the report
The autocheck report just says rear impact collision.
I would pass too, if it was bad enough to claim insurance and make it to carfax, then it is pretty much worthless, unless you are talking about a $100,000+ retail car. And plan to keep it forever. But it may never drive straight, again I would pass and look around.
Some insurance companies are just nuts. A friend had a several year old Volvo sedan. It got bumped parked at the curb. It needed a front bumper, headlites, fender and hood. Insurance totalled it and she bought it back for a few hundred dollars. Insurance paid off the bank loan and gave her like $2000 cash. I found all the parts used for under a thousand dollars, plus gave the car a repaint for the cash. She came out like a champ. Kept the car she loved, in better condition than when she bought it, and didnt owe anything to the bank on it. She basicly had a new car for free. She wont consider selling the car, so resale value to her dont matter. BUT, if she did sell it, everything she gets for it is profit. She could probably get over $5000 for it.
