Accident History Check — Full Collision Report

Severity Levels

• Minor — cosmetic damage like scratches, small dents, minor bumper damage
• Moderate — panel replacement, structural components affected
• Severe — airbag deployment, frame damage, potential total loss

Key Red Flags

• Multiple accidents in a short period
• Front or side impacts (structural risk)
• Airbag deployment
• Gaps in history after an accident (hidden repairs)

Also check for rebuilt titles and flood damage for complete protection.

When a CARFAX report shows an accident record, it includes several data points that most buyers overlook. Understanding these details separates informed buyers from those who panic at the word "accident."

Severity categories

Not all accidents are equal. A rear-end bump at 5 mph is categorized differently from a high-speed frontal collision. Look at the reported severity and the specific panels involved. Rear bumper damage is generally cosmetic. Front-end or side impacts raise structural concerns.

Airbag deployment

If airbags deployed, the collision was severe enough to trigger safety systems designed for high-energy impacts. This almost always indicates structural damage and significantly reduces vehicle value.

Time between accident and next service

A long gap between a reported accident and the next service record can indicate the vehicle sat in a body shop for extended repairs — or was sold to an auction and passed through multiple hands before re-entering the market. Check auction history →