Hail damage at salvage auto auctions. What you need to know before buying it.
Last edit: January 22 2024 • 517 view
Andrew ‘Autohacker’ Ivanov is here and today I will talk about Hail damaged cars! Hail damage can be an excellent deal when buying salvage cars from insurance auctions. However, to make informed decisions, consider the following crucial points before making a purchase:
1. Invisible Windshield and Rear Window Damage in Hail Damage
Most likely, when you buy hail damaged cars it will have a broken windshield or rear window. It is often not visible in Copart or IAAI pictures, so inspect windows for any signs of cracks.
2. Sunroof and Panorama Roof Risks in Hail Damaged cars
If the hail car has a sunroof or panorama roof, it’s highly likely the glass is broken and will need replacement (99.5% chance).
3. Headlights and Taillights Inspection after Hail Damage
Check headlights and taillights for cracks or damage caused by hail. These components are often exposed and susceptible to hail impact.
4. Age Considerations for Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)
You won’t be able to perform PDR on hail damaged cars that are 7+ years old. This might be even less in states like Arizona, TX, where the dry climate and hot weather can cause the paint to dry quickly. The paint is old and most likely will crack, requiring PDR + sanding + a paint job.
5. Limitations of Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)
Not every dent is fixable with PDR. Read about PDR process and its limitation.
6. Materials Unfit for PDR
Aluminum, carbon fiber, composites, plastic cannot be fixed via PDR. This would require body work and paint.
7. Clean Title Hail Damage Cars in Texas
Watch out for clean title hail damage cars in TX. TX salvages hail-damaged cars but can sell them with a clean title. This title may convert to salvage in other states.
Real-Life Example
Our customer purchased a 2020 FORD ECOSPORT TITANIUM as a hail damage vehicle with minor visible damages, a clean title, and a 50% discount. When he received the vehicle, he called us to request compensation for the windshield, which was cracked. He assumed that the delivery guy cracked the window while transporting the vehicle.
When we, at CARS4.BID, hire a delivery service, we request them to take photos of a car at the auction. We specifically ask them to capture photos of the glass panels to check for any cracks.
Indeed, there was a small spider web crack in the corner…
If you zoom close to Copart pic you can see this damage as well.
Conclusion
Once you know what to look for in hail damage cars, make sure you understand your risks and examine every inch of the provided photos from the auctions. I always recommend inspecting a car before buying it.
It might seem challenging at first, therefore I invite you to join my Autohacker’s Facebook Community. This is an exclusive group of car enthusiasts who enjoy buying cars at 50% discount. I post quality information their weekly and you can ask any questions there as well.
Joining this group could be your best decision of today! What are you waiting for?! Join now!
