CARFAX
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CARFAX
Question: I looked at a used SLK320. Car fax has an entry, posted by police "front end two vehicle collision sever edamage".
How do I know which car had the severe damage? We've looked it over carefully & can spot no damage. ..engine compartment, front end, fenders, etc all look great. THe original tires have 40K on them and were a little "toe-in" worn, but only slightly. How od you know if it was damaged?
How do I know which car had the severe damage? We've looked it over carefully & can spot no damage. ..engine compartment, front end, fenders, etc all look great. THe original tires have 40K on them and were a little "toe-in" worn, but only slightly. How od you know if it was damaged?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From:
RE: CARFAX
Hi,
Be very cautious.
The doors, external sills, wings (fenders over there I think), bonnet, bumper, crash cans, radiator, lights etc can all easily be replaced without problem and subject to a good repair shop changing these items should cause no subsequent problem.
A vehicle can look in a really sorry state for itself and still be completely repairable without any residual problems. A policeman stating heavy frontal accident may, or may not be referring to damage that should not be repaired. His statement was intended to tip you off that you need to be cautious when buying this car.
However, if the engine bay inner wings, longitudinal members are damaged then these require expert repair and the car will never be as good as it was since weld integrity etc will not be controilled to the same extent as in the factory.
Look very carefully at these under bonnet parts to ensure there is no non OE welding. Compare with other good cars. Check that these inner panels do not show signs of buckling etc.
The underbonnet bonnet paint finish does not have lacquer. Its a sort of dull finish but is the same colour as the rest of the vehicle.
Check for overspray on parts. Some parts like the rubber bumper anti vibration buffers should have paint on them since these are fitted when the car was originally sprayed in the factory.
Finally. you state that front geometry is not correct. I suggest that for a few dollars you get this car checked on a geometry jig to ensure that everything is in the correct place.(not just toe in)
Can't you get back to the previous owner somehow?
Could be a good buy or alternatively...........a BIG problem.
Hope this helps a little.
Stuart
Be very cautious.
The doors, external sills, wings (fenders over there I think), bonnet, bumper, crash cans, radiator, lights etc can all easily be replaced without problem and subject to a good repair shop changing these items should cause no subsequent problem.
A vehicle can look in a really sorry state for itself and still be completely repairable without any residual problems. A policeman stating heavy frontal accident may, or may not be referring to damage that should not be repaired. His statement was intended to tip you off that you need to be cautious when buying this car.
However, if the engine bay inner wings, longitudinal members are damaged then these require expert repair and the car will never be as good as it was since weld integrity etc will not be controilled to the same extent as in the factory.
Look very carefully at these under bonnet parts to ensure there is no non OE welding. Compare with other good cars. Check that these inner panels do not show signs of buckling etc.
The underbonnet bonnet paint finish does not have lacquer. Its a sort of dull finish but is the same colour as the rest of the vehicle.
Check for overspray on parts. Some parts like the rubber bumper anti vibration buffers should have paint on them since these are fitted when the car was originally sprayed in the factory.
Finally. you state that front geometry is not correct. I suggest that for a few dollars you get this car checked on a geometry jig to ensure that everything is in the correct place.(not just toe in)
Can't you get back to the previous owner somehow?
Could be a good buy or alternatively...........a BIG problem.
Hope this helps a little.
Stuart
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 70
RE: CARFAX
I've pretty well checked everything you mentioned and it all looks OK. I can't even see any residual signs of any work except that on one fender, the bolts MAY have been removed but that's not even sure. If it was damaged badly, they did an excellent job in repairing it. The tires had 40,000 on them & I spoke with the tire shop (not the sales business). The tire place said there was nothing out of the ordinary.
Thanks for your reply.
Thanks for your reply.
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