a local garage is selling a is250 with front end damage. i havent seen it yet but from what i hear it has no bumper and the enforment bar is bent straight and the fenders are damaged on one side. But i am told that none of the airbags have deployed.

If no airbags deployed during a accident, does that mean chances of any serious mechanical damage is low?

i'm going to go and check it out but wanted to know what to look out for in terms of mechanical damage?

how do you check if the suspension has any damage? or if any alignment issues exist?

 

If the car was hit hard at an angle the air bags might not deploy but the frame could be seriously bent. You need to get it on an alignment machine to see if it's still straight. If you're not mechanically inclined, I'd pass.

 

Airbags should not be a factor at all when debating how the car was damaged(bent frame,etc)
Theres alot of reasons why they might have no deployed. The car needs to be on a lift and looked at thoroughly. The frame could be bent, engine internals damaged, alot more suspension work needed. Its really hard to gauge damage by just looking at it without tearing it down somewhat and getting it in the air. It doesn't sound like you have alot of experience rebuilding cars so I would pass on it unless you have someone who is familiar with this kind of thing. You don't want to pay for the car and realize down the road it cost alot more to fix and you actually spent more than if you just bought a non-accident car in the first place.

Rich

 

2IS's are starting to become a lot more affordable. I'd hold off and pick one up that's off lease. Taking a damaged good is a bit of a gamble, especially if you're not sure if there's frame damage or not. I've seen airbags go off personally with absolutely zero mechanical or structural damage. Don't rely on those as a factor to gauge potential repair bills.