What Damage is Acceptable for a Car from the US?

It’s no secret that buying a car at an auction in the US with subsequent repairs is more lucrative than purchasing cars without visible problems. For this reason, Copart or IAA marketplaces are so popular in America, offering cars with various types of damage. Choosing the most promising cars among these is almost an art. Advice from Columbus experts will help you make the right decision.

Copart Auto Auctions alone lists several thousand cars with minimal damage every week - these cars can be found on the company's website by selecting Damage Type - Low Damage in the search bar and then the Minor Dents/Scratches subcategory.

You also need to be careful when taking part in bidding on IAA since search filters allow you to find cars by Primary Damage, for example, as a result of a collision. The choice within this criteria is wide, right down to the smallest details.

So what kind of damage or other issues make cars much cheaper at auctions, but are easily eliminated during repairs in a repair shop and offer a lucrative deal when resold? Let's make a small top list.

1. Damage to mounted body elements

Cars damaged as a result of a minor accident or reckless driving usually have minor damage. As a rule, they do not affect the load-bearing body structures - pillars, side members, cross members, roof, sills, spare tire spot, etc. – and do not damage the geometry of the vehicle.

It is ideal when the impact occurred on attached body elements (bumpers, fenders, doors, hood, lid or trunk door), especially if it was a side swipe. They are easy to change or straighten, which is even cheaper.

The cost of restoring a car will depend on where you are making the repairs. Of course, it is more than cosmetic, but it certainly won’t be too hard on your wallet either.

It is important to properly assess the damage to the car. It is best done by a qualified professional. For example, Columbus provides an inexpensive car inspection service directly on the trading floor in America, with additional photo recording. A professional inspection is an almost 100% guarantee purchasing a promising car.

2. Road accidents involving animals

Animals in America are all over the place, and often end up hit by a car. The degree of damage to the cars directly depends on the size of the animal and the speed of the collision. It’s one thing to drive into a deer or elk that has suddenly jumped out onto the highway, and another to come across a badger on a country road.

As a rule, all these incidents cause damage to the front of the car: the bumper, fenders, and sometimes the windshield. And sometimes the cooling system (e.g. radiator).

The consequences of these accidents involving animals sometimes look bad but do not really require expensive repairs.

3. Cars found after theft

Cars in the US, as well as throughout the world, are insured against theft with compensation for damage occurring promptly.

Moreover, if the car is found after the theft, it is not returned to the previous owner but becomes the property of the insurance company, which immediately puts the find up for auction to compensate for its losses.

Stolen car lots cars are marked separately - Theft, Unrecovered Theft or Recovered Thefts.

Buying a car like this is lucrative for two reasons. First, car theft in the US is rarely accompanied by damage - the car was not stolen to be damaged. Second, the sellers are reliable insurance companies, therefore, you will have no issues registering and exporting it from America.

There is one “but”: the ignition keys may be missing from the car. But this is an easy fix, both in the US and in our country, even when it comes to keys with a chip.

4. Repossessed Cars

Auctions often sell cars confiscated by banks from their owners due to the latter's delay of payment. These vehicles are marked Repossessed, have all the necessary paperwork and are usually in good condition. Among these are some practically new ones with low mileage, since used cars are rarely leased.

Repo cars are a great option but they might have some cons like having hidden defects due to its ex-owner’s involvement.

A separate type of repo cars that is often seen at auctions is designated as Abandonment Paperwork. These are cars confiscated by US government agencies from public places or private property - usually because they were abandoned for a prolonged period of time.

It is an interesting option but a preliminary inspection of the car on site is not just desirable in this case but mandatory. 

5. Undamaged car

This option needs to be mentioned as well. Cars without damage can be bought at any auction - they are usually marked Normal wear. The largest selection of these cars at the most reasonable prices is available at the Manheim auction, which positions itself as the largest one in America, as well as throughout the world with car sales reaching 6 million units per year. The site sells cars with expired warranty, leased, seized by insurance companies, banks, delivered from liquidated enterprises, etc. What these vehicles do have in common is they are lacking any critical damage.

The auction’s pro is that all cars sold are subject to a mandatory inspection by Manheim inspectors. The con is that the cars that the auction staff spend their time on are more expensive than those of their competitors.

But as always, the buyer makes the final choice.

Sources: Copart.com, Iaai.com.