Damaged / repaired vehicles - Bad idea?

kam1nsk1

Hi

Just wondering if anyone in the industry or with specific knowledge could give me their opinion or advice on buying vehicles that have been classed as accident damaged / written off etc and subsequently repaired?

I am in the market for a new car and am wondering what to think of cheaper cars with this sort of history. If they have passed MOT's etc and been repaired back up to spec is there anything else I need to consider? Do people think they are worth a punt or are they not a good idea unless you are desperate etc.

All advice gratefully accepted

Cheers

Minski

steveo3002

some are fine and some are complete sheds bodged together, you really need someone to go over and check the repairs are to a good standard if you cant check it yourself

what sort of car are you talking about £500 or £20,000?

kam1nsk1

Car I'm looking at is £3000 Ford Focus, but a few others around that mark are the same story. Bloke told me about it when I called and said he had the paperwork for the repairs etc.

goldspanners

kam1nsk1 wrote: »

Car I'm looking at is £3000 Ford Focus, but a few others around that mark are the same story. Bloke told me about it when I called and said he had the paperwork for the repairs etc.

how old,how many miles, what spec is it?

steveo3002

id be inclined to go for a genuine undamaged car if you can ..theres alot of bodged up ones around

see if you can find out what the repair was...bolt on panels are fine and it could be as good as new if done well

weld on panels can be prone to rust in the seams unless done to a high standard

remember flood damage writes cars off too....might find some funny smells and elec probs after a while

kam1nsk1

The car is a tdci zetec on 54 plate. it has done 16000 miles apparently, due to this accident. I think in light of advice I may leave it as the seller says he doesn't know what was wrong with it.