Hello all. I am looking to buy an accord and looking at pics, the door seems like it doesnt exactly fit, but it could very well be my imagination as i am far from an expert. does it look like the fender or door has been replaced on this 00' accord? thanks!

 

Look on the inside of the door jamb where the hinge is.. most honda reman. doors have some nasty welding jobs done on them that can only be seen on the inside... another clue is where the door matches up to the fender if it's not a perfect transition it's a guarantee they replaced at least the door...

i've had both my doors replaced, and it's actually pretty easy to tell if you rub your hand across the door/fender area and/or you look on the inside where it hinges... i'll take a pic tonight if i can remember..

 

Honda makes this very easy to check. You'll find the car's VIN printed on all of the car's replaceable panels if it's original sheetmetal. Check the underside of the hood, the top of both fenders under the hood, inside the doors, and inside the trunklid.

 

thanks for the replies. the guy actually admitted the fender was replaced(after i asked him). the fact that it doesnt totally "fit" properly might bother me a little, though i have yet to see the car in person. we kind of have a price we were talking about, how much do u think would devalue the car? thanks

 

Does it have a salvaged title?

 

not a salvage its clean, 1 accident. supposedly the fender was replaced cuz there was a "smudge" on it.

 

Since late 1990s they've put VIN stickers or stamps in the body parts. A replaced door or fender won't have the VIN.

OTOH, some body shops will replace a front fender easily, just because it can be easier (cheaper) than straightening the bent one.

 

would i be able to replace the fender with one that fits perfect?

 

Most likely that fender does fit it just wasn't adjusted 100% perfectly (which is very difficult to do...) chances are you'll never notice it in person and neither will anyone else, if it bothers you call a local body shop with the picture and ask what they think and what they'd charge to adjust it.

Also, previous body damage that is virtually no longer visible doesn't really devalue a car unless the paint doesn't match or it was a really bad repair job or the frame was damaged.

Example: if the roof on your house caved in, then you repaired it so it was virtually impossible to tell there was ever and issue a home inspector wouldn't devalue the house at all since it's in good clean working order.

 

A fender that isn't bolted in place is more floppy than you may realize. It's all about alignment during installation.