Dark Past Vehicle History Report Can Reveal

The more well-maintained a used car, the harder it is to believe that something could be wrong. Especially if it is a rare model for those who understand. After all, it was probably cared for and cherished. However, the experience of experts from the Indianapolis used car dealership Indy Auto Man shows that dark spots can appear in the history of such a car.

Toyota with Dark Past

A 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser is enlisted for sale in Indianapolis with about 106 thousand miles and a “Rebuilt” branded title. The SUV looks decent, and it’s unlikely that the exotic FJ Cruiser could end up in the hands of a random person. As for the owners, the 14-year-old SUV had only three, according to its title.

The seller’s comment is as follows:

“Ideal condition both in body and interior and technically. Everything works perfectly. All consumables have been replaced. Additional special features include diode bi-led lenses in the headlights (the light is amazing), and electric running boards, the transfer case was replaced with a Prada one, which made it possible to implement permanent all-wheel drive. New Nokian winter tires, New Nokian summer tires on buffalo rims.”

It would seem an excellent option for those who want a car for the soul, but the vehicle history report revealed several blind spots. 

The Japanese SUV has been in Indiana all its life, and its biography cannot be called eventful. The car spent more than ten years in the hands of the first owner. And almost all these years were cloudless. But at the beginning of 2020, trouble happened to Toyota – it was involved in an accident in Illinois. The damage diagram of the SUV shows the entire front and driver’s door. It seems the collision was serious. However, no repair calculations followed. And for seven months, the SUV completely disappeared from the radar. But in September 2020, it went on sale. The car was sold with 128 thousand mileage and, more importantly, in “Salvage” status.

By the end of 2020, the destroyed FJ Cruiser found a buyer, and then, the SUV was deregistered for a long time. After the renewal of registration in the fall of 2021, it spent almost two years in the hands of the second official owner, and in the summer of 2023, it was re-registered to the current seller. He is the author of the current advertisement. 

The seller might not know what kind of accident the car has experienced. But potential buyers should be aware of what happened. At a minimum, to take a closer look at the condition or even immediately switch to other options on sale. 

How to reveal problems

There is nothing terrible in a minor accident in the vehicle’s history. The majority of drivers, especially beginners, get into accidents. A scratched bumper, a broken headlight, and a cracked radiator grill are no big deal. However, a future owner should be able to identify cases of more serious accidents with the car before purchase. The first thing one should pay attention to after inspecting the paint around the perimeter is the gaps in the joints of the body parts.

If the car is not the newest (over five years old, for example), the gaps can spread around the body due to its natural aging and geometry violations. However, if the gap on one side of the hood is larger than the other, or the front door is set with a significant gap and is very different from the rear, this is a reason to think twice.

After checking the gaps, you should pay attention to the fasteners, especially if there are doubts about the gaps. Open the doors, hood, and trunk lid, and check the bolts and drive mechanisms. If the car has been in a serious accident, then, as a rule, you will find traces of tightening and adjustment on the bolts. Next, it’s a good idea to look under the rugs. Pay attention to the seam at the junctions of metal floor sheets and thresholds. If it is not visible or neatly hidden around the perimeter with a layer of paint and anti-corrosion coating, the probability of its factory origin is high, which is very good. It’s also worth looking under the trunk lid. Impacts to the stern are one of the most common in road accidents.

But even after such a careful inspection, it is still worth asking for a detailed car history report to dismiss some possible problems at an early stage. The next stage is to take the car to a service center for diagnostics and inspection of components by reliable specialists. This way, you can secure yourself from hidden issues and future costly repairs. 

The car buying experience may be simpler if you buy from a reputed car dealer in Indianapolis, who takes responsibility for preliminary checks and guarantees quality and safety.