2023 Model Used Car with Low Miles . . . BUT

[Anonymous]

We are looking at potentially buying a 2023 used car with under 15k miles BUT the carfax report shows that it was used as a rental car and was involved in two "minor accidents." We test drove the car and it looked and felt great AND the car is still under manufacturers warranty until 40k miles. Would you risk this or not?

[Anonymous]

I'd get it inspected to make sure the frame isn't bent or damaged from the 'minor' accidents. If it is a car that requires premium, I would walk because people are putting the cheapest gas possible in rentals because they don't care what happens to the engine at 50k miles

[Anonymous]

Can you have it looked at by your own mechanic and body shop?

Often minor accidents are indeed VERY minor. All it takes is for one party to notify insurance and/or police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd get it inspected to make sure the frame isn't bent or damaged from the 'minor' accidents. If it is a car that requires premium, I would walk because people are putting the cheapest gas possible in rentals because they don't care what happens to the engine at 50k miles

Very good point. It is a higher end car and likely requires premium gas. This is the problem with rentals for me. People just don't take care of them like they would their own cars. I am really struggling with this because we otherwise like the car and there is no way of telling how minor the accident was (other than the fact that airbags were not deployed, etc.). According to the report, one looks like it was a rear end and the other involved the front/left side of the car.

[Anonymous]

When it says used as a rental does it mean as a loaner at a dealership? Then I'd be less hesitant, versus, say a regular rental where someone could rent a car for a long family roadtrip. Also, agree with PP, that renters don't use premium.

[Anonymous]

Would any damage done by less than premium gas show up with such low mileage? I wonder if OP bought it and just started using premium gas, whether that would that take care of any potential issues.

[Anonymous]

I’d pass on this car. The used car market is getting better and you should have other options.

Carfax is a merely a guide.

[Anonymous]

It can lead to engine knock which can damage the car, but a 2023 should have a good enough computer to prevent this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd get it inspected to make sure the frame isn't bent or damaged from the 'minor' accidents. If it is a car that requires premium, I would walk because people are putting the cheapest gas possible in rentals because they don't care what happens to the engine at 50k miles

Very good point. It is a higher end car and likely requires premium gas. This is the problem with rentals for me. People just don't take care of them like they would their own cars. I am really struggling with this because we otherwise like the car and there is no way of telling how minor the accident was (other than the fact that airbags were not deployed, etc.). According to the report, one looks like it was a rear end and the other involved the front/left side of the car.

Aside from the issue of using non-premium gas, I would think people renting cars generally are being pretty careful to avoid getting charged fees for damage. What make? Premium is more important for some than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking at potentially buying a 2023 used car with under 15k miles BUT the carfax report shows that it was used as a rental car and was involved in two "minor accidents." We test drove the car and it looked and felt great AND the car is still under manufacturers warranty until 40k miles. Would you risk this or not?

So, I once had someone do a hit and run on my car in that they backed into it in a parking garage and left. They basically messed up the front passenger side -- needed some body work. I filed a claim with insurance and had it fixed.

Four years later when I traded it in, the dealer tried to lowball me because the CarFax said it had been "in an accident."

Do with that information what you will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd get it inspected to make sure the frame isn't bent or damaged from the 'minor' accidents. If it is a car that requires premium, I would walk because people are putting the cheapest gas possible in rentals because they don't care what happens to the engine at 50k miles

Very good point. It is a higher end car and likely requires premium gas. This is the problem with rentals for me. People just don't take care of them like they would their own cars. I am really struggling with this because we otherwise like the car and there is no way of telling how minor the accident was (other than the fact that airbags were not deployed, etc.). According to the report, one looks like it was a rear end and the other involved the front/left side of the car.

Aside from the issue of using non-premium gas, I would think people renting cars generally are being pretty careful to avoid getting charged fees for damage. What make? Premium is more important for some than others.

In the words of Clarkson, "The fastest car is always a rental" I buy the extra insurance and do not care about the car. If it gets dings or scratches, that's what I've paid for. If there is a really tight space next to a pillar in a parking spot, paint is paint

[Anonymous]

You can ask to get a pre-purchase inspection at your mechanic of choice.

Has anyone else noticed that almost all accidents are described as "mild to moderate" on Carfax? I was recently looking for cars and reviewed a lot of Carfax reports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking at potentially buying a 2023 used car with under 15k miles BUT the carfax report shows that it was used as a rental car and was involved in two "minor accidents." We test drove the car and it looked and felt great AND the car is still under manufacturers warranty until 40k miles. Would you risk this or not?

I'd use the CarFax report to lowball offer the car if you actually want it. Like, offer $7,000 or $8,000 less than they're asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking at potentially buying a 2023 used car with under 15k miles BUT the carfax report shows that it was used as a rental car and was involved in two "minor accidents." We test drove the car and it looked and felt great AND the car is still under manufacturers warranty until 40k miles. Would you risk this or not?

So, I once had someone do a hit and run on my car in that they backed into it in a parking garage and left. They basically messed up the front passenger side -- needed some body work. I filed a claim with insurance and had it fixed.

Four years later when I traded it in, the dealer tried to lowball me because the CarFax said it had been "in an accident."

Do with that information what you will.

It was, wasn't it? That's how it's categorized when you file a claim and get it fixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking at potentially buying a 2023 used car with under 15k miles BUT the carfax report shows that it was used as a rental car and was involved in two "minor accidents." We test drove the car and it looked and felt great AND the car is still under manufacturers warranty until 40k miles. Would you risk this or not?

So, I once had someone do a hit and run on my car in that they backed into it in a parking garage and left. They basically messed up the front passenger side -- needed some body work. I filed a claim with insurance and had it fixed.

Four years later when I traded it in, the dealer tried to lowball me because the CarFax said it had been "in an accident."

Do with that information what you will.

It was, wasn't it? That's how it's categorized when you file a claim and get it fixed.

If you don't use insurance, you can use body shops who don't report to carfax. When I had to replace a bumper (neighbor hit parked car, and paid cash to avoid insurance), the first question I asked the shops I looked at for estimates was whether or not they reported to carfax