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MARKETPLACE:  Auto | Jobs | Personals | Yellow Pages  November 12, 2003
LIFESTYLE:  Holiday Helper | House & Home | Money | Pets | Recipes | Relationships | Travel | Weddings
How to Spot Car Fraud
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  If shown a bunch of cars on the lot could you detect the rebuilt wreck? And how do you know whether that used car you're buying hasn't been in a crash? Take the truth challenge!

Consumer
"It looks brand new."

Consumer

"This is a 2002?"

Think you can pick out a good used car? Consumers recently had a chance to test their knowledge to see if these four used cars were safe buys.

Consumer

"I pick this one."

Consumer

"I'm gonna go with this car."

 Here's the catch 3 of the 4 cars were in accidents and then put back together to hide serious damage. These have all been in accidents, this one has been totaled,  this vehicle has been in a major wreck.

"Looking at that car, would you suspect that it's been in a serious accident?"

Consumer

"I wouldn't have thought that."

 The one that was junked and the one that was good looked almost identical! Most consumers were fooled by the rebuilt wrecks but with a little knowledge there's a way to detect a dud.

 Lea Gilpina, AAA

"Little mud under here, it's possible it's been under water or in a flood."

 Scott Frederick, Carfax

"You are going to want to check all the doors and hoods and truck lids. You are going to want to make sure they open and close smoothly. ..and that when they are closed there is a nice even gap that goes all around the panel...if they are crooked or a little bit misalignment that could clue you in that this car was rebuilt from a major wreck."

 So how can you detect a wreck? By going online, consumers can obtain a Carfax vehicle history report which can tell you everything about the car, including accident and flood damage, mileage and even details about who owned it.

www.carfax.com

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