Expert: Michael Kakuk - 3/22/2010

Question
hi
i want to purchase a car from copart maybe possibly one that has been in an auto accident and then just sending it to an auto shop to be fixed since i realized that it might be cheaper but i want to know what should i look for in the integrity of the car to make sure that the car is still fixable and that the majority of the damage is not something that might be too expensive to fix. for example am i of with a car that has front damage that from back damage or side damage?

Answer
EDDIE........NOT A GOOD IDEA. THE VEHICLES AT COPART ARE TOTAL LOSSES THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY
HAS WRITTEN AN ESTIMATE AND THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR ARE CLOSE TO OR ARE AT THE VEHICLES MARKET VALUE.

THE INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT ALLOW A LARGE AMOUNT OF PROFIT AND THE CHANCES OF BUYING ONE AND THEN PAYING A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR AT A LOWER COST IS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN.

MY 2 CENTS
MIKE