Accident reported: airbag deployed, concern ?

[sirgerman]

I am looking at a 2015 Buick LaCrosse with 25000 miles, good price, however the CarFax came with;
"Accident reported: airbag deployed"
No more info about the accident
Seller indicated that it was all taking care, she has all the paperwork for the repairs
Should I be concern ?

Any advice ?

 

[JoeDirt41]

Having worked in collision repair, I would probably avoid anything that had airbags deploy. Not that cars can’t be fixed, but the quality of the repairs varies drastically and you just don’t know how poorly or how well it was done. I wouldn’t shy away from something that had a bumper cover or a fender or door replaced, but anything deeper than exterior sheet metal, I would avoid.

 

[sirgerman]

That's what I though

 

[SC Maintenance]

No expert. But it doesn't take much to deploy an airbag. You could also buy a car that did deploy and airbag but it doesn't show in the carfax. So buying a used car is always a gamble.

You need to get someone that knows what there looking for to go over it. Its still hard to tell once its back together.

It would need to be a really good deal to keep me interested. Like 1/3 below book.

 

[sirgerman]

She wants $13000
here is the car

https://cars.ksl.com/listing/10448404

 

[4wd]

We had side curtains and the one shot seat belts replaced in our 2017 Tahoe - these were what required the dealership and their OEM parts - so did all repairs there …

 

[TheOilWizard]

I am looking at a 2015 Buick LaCrosse with 25000 miles, good price, however the CarFax came with;
"Accident reported: airbag deployed"
No more info about the accident
Seller indicated that it was all taking care, she has all the paperwork for the repairs
Should I be concern ?

Any advice ?

Perhaps contact the dealership that completed the repairs and ask for pictures of the damage? They may not comply, but wouldn't hurt to ask. If the pictures show a reasonable amount of damage that you are comfortable with, and it was repaired to industry standards, why not? Assuming the price is right.

 

[The_Jeff]

Seller's carfax or yours?

I doubt it's really an "estate sale" but I'm cynical.

I bet the seller's waiting for someone who doesn't know about carfax to bite. This is one of those situations where an informed buyer isn't going to talk the seller down as the seller can just wait for someone else to come along.

$14.5k is a lot for an 11 year old Buick with plastic "chrome."

 

[sirgerman]

Allegedly she has all the paperwork about the repairs, I will take a look
Is the engine any good in that car ?
the bank sent me the carfax

 

[sirgerman]

Here is the report
I had to convert pdf to jpeg

 

[SC Maintenance]

Seems high $ for a 11 year old car from a state that uses a lot of salt thats been in an accident.

 

[Propflux01]

3 previous owners, airbags, and rental. I’d run

 

[sirgerman]

3 previous owners, airbags, and rental. I’d run

it was a rental for 10000 miles

 

[Nukeman7]

Multiple "correction to record" entries in Utah between 2020 and 2025 is a big red flag. I would not be surprised if that involve some odometer shenanigans since who only drives ~2000 miles in 5 years?

Combine that with the airbag deployment, rental history and 3 previous owners, I would run away from that Buick as if it was a rabid pitbull!

 

[zrxkawboy]

The price would need to be considerably lower for me to consider it.

 

[shortyb]

3 previous owners, airbags, and rental. I’d run

That right there would have me looking elsewhere, despite the airbag deployment. If you feel lucky though, offer her $10K. If she doesn't deal, then you are probably better off.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I would not be afraid to buy it with those low miles. I have owned several repairable vehicles with salvage titles and they have been great vehicles. If the vehicle looks and drives great and doesn't have any warning lights on the dash I would go for it. It's more about the inspection than having a deployed airbag. Used cars are high and those Buicks have somewhat of a cult following. Not sure if it has the 3.6 6 cylinder or the 2.4 4 cylinder. If it's the 4 cylinder I would pass but the 3.6's are good.

 

[Propflux01]

it was a rental for 10000 miles

A lot can happen in 10k, as noted by the carfax…

 

[dishdude]

Nice car, price looks right. Even with the accident Carmax is offering $12.7k. I'd like a body shop to look at it before purchase. These are great cars with great powertrains. Carmax offer is good condition, not smoked in, 2 key fobs, no other issues.

 

[Mainia]

Run away, find another car.