Beware of Used Cars with Major Collision Damage, Detect Damage Down to the Chassis
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Buying a used car can indeed be an economical solution, especially for those looking for an affordable vehicle.
However, prospective buyers must be extra careful, particularly when inspecting vehicles that have been in major collisions and sustained structural or chassis damage.
Damage to the chassis is not a trivial matter. If the main frame has been affected, the strength and safety of the car can be drastically reduced.
The owner of vehicle inspection service PT Inspector Indonesia Expert, Lukman Hakim, said that there are several signs that can be observed when inspecting a used car suspected of having been in a major collision.
“The structure is bent, warped, not precise, there are no spot welds, and there are visible workshop welds. It’s a different matter if there is a replacement of the frame, that is very tricky,” Hakim told Kompas.com, recently.
According to him, modern cars have neat and consistent factory spot welds. If uneven or non-standard welds are found, it should be suspected that major repairs have been carried out.
“The points I mentioned earlier are almost non-existent; what can usually be seen are only the remnants of the joints,” he said.
The chassis or frame is the backbone of the vehicle. This component supports the body, engine, suspension, and safety systems. If the chassis has been bent or re-joined, the precision of the car’s geometry can change.
The impact includes the car feeling unstable when driving straight, uneven tire wear, the steering wheel not being straight even after alignment, and noises coming from under the car.
In addition to checking the undercarriage, there are several important areas that need to be checked, namely the engine bay. Pay attention to the engine mounts, the apron, and the front frame to ensure that there are no signs of cuts or joints.
“Checking the frame and the A, B, and C pillars is very important. From there, we can find out whether the car has a history of rolling over or being in a major collision,” said Hakim.
“The positions of the A, B, and C pillars are on the upper right and left sides of the car body. So, if the spot welds in that area are no longer precise or there are fillers, it can be ascertained that the car has been in an accident,” he said.
KOMPAS.com is committed to providing clear, trustworthy, and balanced facts. Support the sustainability of clear journalism and enjoy ad-free reading comfort through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now.