What Are the Signs of a Bent Car Frame?
by Malinda Smith
When buying a used car, there are some important things to check first. One of these things is damage to the frame of the car. A damaged frame can be costly to fix and can cause the car to be improperly aligned, which can cause extra wear and tear on your tires. To make sure you buy a safe, dependable and economical car, check to see if the car has frame damage.
Door Alignment
Check to see if the doors and trunk open and close without catching. If they catch, there could be a problem with the car's frame. Often, a damaged door is a sign a vehicle has been in an accident.
Under the Car
Check under the car on both sides with a flashlight for any bends in the metal or welding marks visible on the metal frame rails of the car. Check all sides of the vehicle.
Measure Door Openings
All doors should be the same length and width as the other side. Measure the openings to see if there are any discrepancies.
Writer Bio
Malinda Smith began writing in 2007 for a college Web magazine and has contributed work to eHow. Her expertise is writing about social injustice and other social issues. She holds a Master in social work from Radford University and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Virginia Tech.
