How to Check Accident History of a Car in India

Checking a car’s accident history is a crucial step when purchasing a used car in India. It can save you from big trouble in the long run.

Purchasing a new car is not an easy task. It starts with multiple choices to choose from – a new car or used one, SUV or sedan, petrol or EV, Maruti or Tata, the list goes on. Basically, when you need to purchase a new car, there are too many things to consider in a short time frame. Even if a car looks amazing, it is important to see through the showcase before making a purchase. This is even more important in the case of a second-hand car. One of the best ways to be sure about a car is by checking the car’s accident history. This process will offer you a sense of relief or reveal any shady past the car might have and help you in price negotiations. In this post, let us help you with the process of checking a vehicle’s accident history in India. Here are all the steps you need to follow to Check Car Accident History:

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What is an Accidental Car?

Any vehicle involved in one or more accidents is referred to as an accidental vehicle if there is any damage to the vehicle’s overall structure or frame. Since cars are involved in all kinds of accidents, damages might be small to severe. A head-on collision impacts a vehicle very differently than a rear-end collision. While accidents caused by drunk driving might be severe, a distracted driver might engage in a minor fender-bender. However, in all these cases, the insurance company assesses the damage.

Upon proper inspection, the insurance company decides if a car is repairable, salvageable, or a total loss. A car is declared a total loss if the repair cost exceeds the vehicle’s value. In such cases, the insurance company pays the owner the vehicle’s fair market value and takes possession. Such cars are sold to scrapyards. Then the scrapyard decides whether to send the car for refurbishment or trade the scrap for money.

It is very important to ensure that any vehicle which has been in an accident is properly repaired and the car is safe for current or prospective owners. On the plus side, an accidental vehicle will likely have a lower resale value. This holds true even if proper repairs are done and the damage is barely noticeable. So, if you plan to buy an accidental vehicle, it is advisable to get it checked by a professional mechanic. Make sure the repairs were done correctly and that the car is safe to drive. To find out any hidden issues, the best solution is to check the vehicle’s accident history before finalizing a purchase.

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How to Check the Accident History of a Vehicle in India?

Checking the accident history of a used car is essential to know any vehicle’s past. This will help to make sure that car does not have an alarming history of accidents and damage. Here’s how to check the accident history of a car in India:

1. The Car Registration Number

You can obtain the vehicle’s registration number from the car’s registration certificate (RC) or the number plate.2

2. Visit the Official Website of the Regional Transport Office (RTO)

Next, visit the official website of the RTO where the vehicle is registered. For this, you can search for the RTO website by typing in the keywords – “RTO website” + the name of your state and navigating to the “vehicle information” section.

3. Check for Accident Records

Then, on the RTO website, enter the registration number to check for the accident record of your car. The website will immediately provide information on the number of accidents the car has been involved in. It will also reveal if the car has been declared a “scrapped” vehicle and is in fact a refurbished unit.

4. Look for the History of the Vehicle

You can also visit the website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to check for the history of the ca. It will offer information about the vehicle’s registration, fitness, tax, and insurance details.

If the options mentioned above don’t work for some reason, you can also check the accident history of a car by visiting the website of the Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI). It also provides all the relevant information about a car’s accident history, the number of previous owners, and its service history.

Pro Tip: In case you notice any confusing/ mismatching information, immediately contact the RTO or the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for further clarification and to resolve any issues.

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Why Should You Check the Car Accident History?

In some cases, you might trust or know the seller. And in another case, they might have a good recommendation. Still, it is important to check the vehicle accident history for any hidden past. Here are some other important reasons to check the accident history of a car:

1. Safety

An accidental vehicle may have suffered damages that might not be visible. However, these may affect its safety and reliability on the road in the future. All components like the frame, suspension, tires, etc could make the vehicle unsafe to drive. A thorough accident history check ensures that you are not buying a safe car and not putting any lives in danger.

2. Insurance

Insurance companies are likely to charge higher premiums for accidental vehicles. They might even refuse to offer any insurance. So, it is important to check with your insurance company for their policy when buying a car that has been in an accident.

3. Resale Value

Even with proper repairs, the accidental vehicles have a lower resale value than a vehicle that has not been in an accident. So, while you may have to pay less now, you will also get an even smaller value in case you want to sell in the future.

4. Maintenance

An accident can cause unseen damage to a car which could affect its overall longevity and add to bigger maintenance costs over time. The accident history of a car can offer important information about any problem areas that may require repairs or regular maintenance in the future.

5. Legal Requirements

While countries like the United States of America and Canada require you to disclose all accident history when selling a car, there is no such rule in India. This makes it easy for people to hide any damage or history that might affect the sale or price. Hence, it is important to check the accident history to ensure that you are not getting into any legal trouble.

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Where to Check the Car Accident History Record in India?

As mentioned before, there are several places to check the accident history of a car before making a purchase. Here the best options:

1. Regional Transport Office (RTO) Website

The official RTO website will provide you with the necessary information on whether a car has been involved in any accidents and if so, how many. It will also reveal if the car has been declared a “scrapped” vehicle.

2. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Website

The MoRTH website can also provide you the information about a vehicle’s registration, fitness, tax, and insurance details.

3. Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI) Website

You can also check the ARAI website to get information about a car’s accident history, number of owners, and service history.

4. Vehicle Inspection Agencies

In rare cases, you can go to private vehicle inspection agencies to inspect a car and provide a detailed report on its accident history. This is very useful if you don’t have time to go through different checks yourself.

5. Police Station

The accident history of a car can also be obtained from the local police station where the accident occurred. You can the police personnel for a copy of the accident report.

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Conclusion

This article makes it clear that checking the accident history of a car is a crucial step when purchasing a used car. While the process might seem a little cumbersome, it can save you from big trouble in the long run. This includes safety from future accidents, damage, repair costs, legal troubles, and more. If you know the history of your car, you can confidently drive it and stay prepared for any potential trouble.

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