Looking at a used M4, but the CarFax shows damage

[Burstey]

Hello all, I am looking at an M4 and the price seems to be a good deal, but I noticed this on the Carfax. The seller told me the front end damage was very minor and happened in a parking lot and the second was someone hit him at a pretty low speed. It was then fixed by BMW. Would you guys be nervous on buying something with a history like this? It still has factory warranty. I plan on keeping the car for 12 months and wondering how hard will it be to sell. Thanks guys

[2 SLOW]

If the deal is good and he has pics and receipts for the repairs, go for it.

[Burstey]

Originally Posted by 2 SLOW

If the deal is good and he has pics and receipts for the repairs, go for it.

I believe he has receipts but no pictures. Still go for it? Deal seems pretty good. Going to make a deposit tomorrow on it. He had a PPI done at BMW for a deal that fell through roughly a month ago at BMW and everything came back perfect

[allinon72]

Personally, I could never buy a car that was involved in an accident, however minor. Unfortunately it's a marked car at that point, it would bug me and it hurts resale. There are too many good deals on clean cars to take a chance.

[tanzm4_]

Your resale value after those 12 months will be really bad

[Humdizzle]

If you could get details on the damage and repair and see the paint in person. and its a deal you can't walk away from I'd consider it.

otherwise run away. you think you're getting a deal? imagine the guy who is gonna buy it off you. not worth it to buy an accident car most of the time.

[RickFLM4]

2 accidents and side airbag deployed in second one? No pictures? No thanks.

The next person shopping to buy it from you is going to see the same information, no pictures and a second owner who will appear to be trying to dump the car after 12 mos. How do you think that will go?

It sounds like you think seller has documentation of repairs but haven’t looked at it yet? What are the other specifics on the car? Year, options, mileage, price?

[evoix]

Nothing is ever repaired perfectly. So keep that in mind. And anything to do with airbag deployment is out of the question for me

[IB M]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

2 accidents and side airbag deployed in second one? No pictures? No thanks.

The next person shopping to buy it from you is going to see the same information, no pictures and a second owner who will appear to be trying to dump the car after 12 mos. How do you think that will go?

It sounds like you think seller has documentation of repairs but haven't looked at it yet? What are the other specifics on the car? Year, options, mileage, price?

^^This sums it up.

Plus seems like you are buying car unseen and from far away. I wouldn't buy any car from SC without a test drive. SC is a wonderful state but has some of the worst, bumpiest, most pot holed roads in the country. Car could be just fine or suspension could be shot.

[Burstey]

Thank you all for the responses. I’m still unsure what I want to do.

I’m not buying the car blind, I’m going next weekend to test drive and get a good look at the car. The PPI was done at BMW and passed everything just fine, so that’s a positive. When I speak with the owner today, I’m going to get a bunch of documentation on the accident and the repairs.

[RickFLM4]

Have you seen the PPI report or is the owner telling you the PPI was all good? If you haven't seen the PPI report, get it to see exactly what they checked. The fact that a BMW dealer performed it wouldn't give me any more comfort than anyone else performing it. Will you be able to discuss the car with the dealer who performed the PPI?

[agentrnge]

At first it sounded like minor fender bender stuff, but the airbag deploy is more worrisome as mentioned above. Keep looking.

If this was your dream combo, and you planned on keeping it forever-ish, and it was a great price, and the repairs were good, go for it.

[Clark_Kent]

Hard pass on this one my friend. I'm surprised you're even entertaining this. The market is flooded with these cars. It will not be hard to find a clean one.

[Darth One]

Look at the pic - even car fox is skeptical about that car

[Burstey]

Sorry to keep throwing more info at you guys. He is going to send me the repair bill and everything tonight. He told me that the car was not disabled nor were the airbags deployed in the accident. He's filed paperwork with carfax multiple times to get this removed, but it has yet to happen. Hoping that it all checks out when he sends me more info tonight.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by Burstey

Sorry to keep throwing more info at you guys. He is going to send me the repair bill and everything tonight. He told me that the car was not disabled nor were the airbags deployed in the accident. He's filed paperwork with carfax multiple times to get this removed, but it has yet to happen. Hoping that it all checks out when he sends me more info tonight.

Sounds like you really want this car and have made up your mind already. Just buy it. Doesn't seem like you need any guidance.

[Burstey]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

Sounds like you really want this car and have made up your mind already. Just buy it. Doesn't seem like you need any guidance.

I haven't made up my mind. Just seems like a good deal with the perfect color combo. I'm going to look at everything and then make my decision from there. Sorry if it seems like I'm not taking into consideration what you guys are saying

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by Burstey

I haven't made up my mind. Just seems like a good deal with the perfect color combo. I'm going to look at everything and then make my decision from there. Sorry if it seems like I'm not taking into consideration what you guys are saying

I mention this because an accident is difficult to look beyond and multiple accidents should be an absolute non-starter. An accident on record is a slippery slope and you're asking to get railroaded on resale. Most don't care if it's a light tap in a parking lot or a running alongside a guardrail. An accident is an accident. That's just what happens. It also doesn't make sense to set yourself up to take a bath in 12 months when you unload the car.

[RobbyMack]

While carfax isn't the end all be all of reliable information I'm more curious as to why you'd buy a used car, with questionable history, to keep it for only 12 months. It's your money so do with it as you please, but this whole thing baffles me.

[Habber]

Just get it and close this thread.

[LVI]

The discount on that car better be close to 20% below market. Why would you even consider it when there are hundreds upon hundreds of these for sale? 12 months from now you’ll lose bigly as supply will continue to increase for the next 2 years as leases get turned in.

[sdshah]

Originally Posted by Burstey

I haven't made up my mind. Just seems like a good deal with the perfect color combo. I'm going to look at everything and then make my decision from there. Sorry if it seems like I'm not taking into consideration what you guys are saying

The market is so bad now for M3/M4 the delta can't be that big between other similar vehicles. Stay away from accident cars you will have the same issues this guy is having when you go to sell.