The used car looks really good. The engine and equipment are right, and the price is okay. So strike - or are there reasons to be skeptical?

Before buying a used car , look out for something specific. "Before doing this, it is imperative to clarify whether the supposed dream car might not have been involved in an accident", says Marcel Ott from Dekra. The problem: For the layman, a vehicle involved in an accident is often not recognizable at first glance.

Indications of hidden accident damage

Hidden damage such as improperly carried out bodywork repairs or painting work and their consequences can usually only be found if you look for them carefully. Indications of hidden accident damage can be:

Unequal gap dimensions between a sheet metal part and the adjacent body parts

Badly closing doors and hoods

Uneven signs of wear and color differences on the paint, for example paint noses, paint mist or masking edges

Clear creases on the underbody

Damaged or incompletely installed panels in the engine compartment

According to Dekra, caution is also required if the tires are unevenly worn or if the car pulls in one direction during a test drive.

If you want to be on the safe side, consult a specialist. He can get to the bottom of the matter with a paint film thickness measuring device or diagnostic software, but above all with the appropriate specialist knowledge. "In any case, let us show you the service booklet and any invoices, and ask about the holding period and the reasons for the sale," advises the head of product management damage reports.