Good morning everyone,

I had an interesting day....

While showing my car off to a few people, a friend of someone in our group who says he's a dealership 'car buyer', told me that my car was in a accident because one of fenders and hood didn't have VIN #s on them.

Needless to say, I was shocked because I had never been in an accident and the dealership (not Lexus) I purchased the car from is highly reputable (the carfax was clean as well).

Before I go back to them, does anyone know if this (not having VINs) is an indicator of an accident.

 

Do you not have the VIN on your fender and hood? I was just looking at them recently.

While the VIN stickers are still on the fender and hood, it does not mean the car has not been on an accident.

 

Hi nwcn98,

Based upon discussions with the bodyshop that I have been using for 15+ yrs, yes this does mean that the specific part has been replaced.

You might check this out with a good bodyshop in your area and see what they tell you.

Jerry Baumchen

 

Hi Jerry,

You have indicated that you were an adjuster in a former life, care to tell us about it?

Thanks.

Mandy

 

One fender has it...

 

Then Jerry is right. Nobody can represent that your car has not been in an accident. But more importantly, if it just a fender bender, then all is well. If not that's the key.

 

For starters, thanks for the feedback.

I have to tell you, I was pretty upset that I bought a car that had a fender and hood replaced if that was true. I have one VIN number on a fender, but nothing on the hood and other fender.

I guess a 100% accident free carfax isn't worth much...

 

They have been able to go around those reports. Hard to find decent and reliable car sellers today.

 

Carfax may not reveal all accidents, particularly the repair was done privately, i.e., not by insurance co., and the accident was not reported.

A good Pre-purchase inspection should have showed the obvious.

Ohh, by now I hope OP has learned not to trust anyone.

 

Hi Mandy,

No, I was an engineer. But I am very inquisitive & ask a lot of questions about almost anything in life. That is how I found out about the parts VIN info.

Jerry Baumchen