Is there anyway to tell if a car was in a prior accident?

It's not showing up on Carfax or Autocheck but there has got to be some type of database out there that can show.

I found a TL that has a broken glass in the back trunk area and glass under the back seats. It looks like a side airbag has been previously deployed because the cover sticks out a little. Also the rear door doesn't match the front door in some type of lighting. Very subtle but you can notice it.

 

it doesn't have to be reported to anything if he fixed it in a local shop without notifying anyone. But by the things you described it seems like it has been in an accident

 

Get someone to look at the car that knows what they are looking at. I have been in the car business for years and can tell if a car was hit within 3 seconds.

Paint meters are in every dealership ask them to take it out. Start with the roof and work around the car... the paint thickness should stay consistent around the car. But it sounds like you already answered your own question. The car seems like it was painted at the very least. If you crash your car and pay for it yourself it isn't going to be on a carfax unless the body shop reports it. And it takes sometimes several months for it to appear on the report.

 

 

Broken glass and a new door doesn't mean an accident. Someone could have broken into the car by breaking the glass and maybe did something to do door.

Joe

 

couldnt you check the VIN numbers on whatever parts you think were involved in an accident to see if they match? that would tell you what has been replaced

 

any good tech/body guy can tell right away--all the things you mentioned are among what they look for
Put it on the lift and ck for new parts, tap on panels for bondo etc
some parts have visable part number stickers

no body shop reports go to carfax unless insurance paid a claim, and that info comes from insurer to carfax..to protect insurance companies interest from double billing

Private pay is just another job, shops have no interest in making reports

 

this is a main reason to have a private shop look at any car you really like for purchase
Make sure its ok if repaired or never been hit
These days its hard to find a used car that never had any damage at all