What you need to know before buying
If the car from the USA has already been repaired after an accident, ask not only about the body, but also about the airbags: did they work, what was installed instead of them, and what confirmed the work performed. The practical result of the inspection is a written expert opinion and a list of unresolved issues before agreeing on the auction bid amount.
NHTSA explains: An airbag deploys only once. Once deployed, it must be replaced at an authorized repair center before the vehicle can be returned to service. However, airbags are not designed to deploy in every accident: it depends on the circumstances of the impact and the design of the system. Therefore, the mere fact that an airbag did not deploy does not prove either that there was no accident or that there was a malfunction.
This article helps you formulate an inspection request. It does not determine the condition of a specific vehicle or describe the repairs WonderCar has performed.
Why the origin of replaced parts matters
In its Deadly Air Bag Replacements warning, NHTSA describes dangerous gas generators labeled DTN60DB that could be found in vehicles during airbag replacements. The gas generator is a component that inflates the airbag. Its dangerous malfunction could cause metal fragments to be ejected in a crash.
The agency recommends checking the history of airbag deployments, accidents, and repairs and contacting the manufacturer's dealer or a trusted independent specialist. The presence of these components is determined by inspection. Checking recalls by VIN does not show whether they were installed later during a repair: they are not tied to the VIN in such a search.
This is a specific warning about certain replacement components. It does not mean that every repaired vehicle has unsafe airbags, nor does it allow us to confirm safety based on model or year alone.
What materials to request from the seller
Create a separate folder specifically for the vehicle you have chosen. The list below is an editorial template for the request, not a set of documents required by all sellers. If confirmation is missing, write it down directly.
Do not ask the seller to disassemble the steering wheel to take a photo of the marking. NHTSA warns against tampering with the airbags yourself due to the risk of deployment and serious injury. If a specialist detects DTN60DB, the agency recommends not driving the car until it is replaced with original components. The procedure for moving in such a situation should be agreed with the service and the carrier.
- Link to the auction announcement for the car and the date it was viewed.
- Photos of the interior before and after the renovation are available, with an explanation of the time of the shooting.
- Records of accidents and airbag deployment in history reports.
- A list of replaced components with part numbers, manufacturer, and purchase documents, if available.
- Workshop documents with a description of the work performed and the results of inspections.
How to formulate a task for an independent specialist
The FTC recommends that before purchasing a used car, an independent inspection and a written report assessing the repairs needed are obtained. A history report is not a substitute for an inspection. The FTC's advice applies to purchases from a dealer in the United States; access to the auction car and the scope of work must be negotiated separately with the venue.
In your request, ask the specialist to answer specific questions: what information about the replacement is confirmed, whether the origin of the components can be established, and what checks are required according to the manufacturer's documentation for this particular car. Ask to separately specify inaccessible areas and limitations of the conclusion. The diagnostic method and permissible disassembly are determined by the specialist, not by the buyer using online instructions.
Don’t take the phrase “everything is done” as a complete report. Ask for an explanation of what documents and checks the conclusion is based on, who prepared it, and what questions remain open.
How to make decisions with incomplete data
A hypothetical case study: old photos show an open cushion, and the seller only shows a recent photo of the restored interior. There is no information about the installed part in the folder. This set of materials leaves the question of replacement open; the next step is documents and a professional inspection. This is a fictional situation, not a case from WonderCar practice.
Until you receive a response, mark the repair as unconfirmed. Don't turn a lack of an estimate into a zero cost. If the required inspection is not available before bidding, postpone your decision or consider another vehicle.
Through the WonderCar application form, you can discuss the selection of the car and the available scope of inspections. Prepare a link to the auction announcement of the car and a short list: what events are known, what the seller has confirmed and what documents or conclusions are still needed. Transfer documents with personal data only through an agreed private channel.
