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How do I find recent car accidents for a vehicle?

I found a car I liked on a used car lot. The salesman said the car hasn't been in any accidents, but I want to double check. Is there a way I can find accident history for a car?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While most car dealerships are honest and fair, doing your own search never hurts!
Buying a car
 is a big step, so feeling confident about your decision is important for your peace of mind.
If you want to research the vehicle yourself, you need the VIN or vehicle identification number. The dealership can provide you with this information.
From there, use the VIN to pull a
CARFAX report
. A CARFAX report will show:
  • Accident data
  • Service records
  • Ownership history
  • Vehicle usage type
  • In-depth details about any accidents, including how severe the damage was and where it occurred
If the accident history aligns with what the salesman has told you, you can move forward. But if the CARFAX report shows something that the salesman or dealership didn’t disclose, ask about it. If any part of the explanation seems strange or makes you uncomfortable, you aren’t required to move forward with the sale. Back out and find another car elsewhere!
Once you find a car you like, get the proper
car insurance
 coverage on it. If you end up in an accident, you’ll want protection for your new car!
If you need help finding insurance, go to
Jerry
. Jerry is an app that finds you the best rates from insurance providers without any hassle.
MORE:
How to check if a used car is a lemon
Car AccidentsUsed Cars
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