Why You Shouldn't Ignore A Vehicle "Colour Change" Warning
A colour change on a car is exactly what it sounds like; the original paint job of the vehicle has been altered, and a new paint job has been applied to the exterior of the car.
One of the easiest ways to determine if a car's colour has been changed is by checking the vehicle history report. The report will typically indicate if the car's colour has been changed and if there are any other issues related to the paint job, such as previous repairs.
"Colour Change" on a One Check report explained
- Pass - This means that there are no significant issues or red flags related to the colour of the vehicle and, providing that everything else is okay, you can proceed with the purchase.
- Warning - This result means there are potential issues or red flags related to the colour of the vehicle that could impact the reliability, safety and value of the car.
What reasons might someone change car colour?
While changing the colour of a car can be done for legitimate reasons, if our One Check shows a vehicle colour change "Warning", it is essential not to ignore it as it could be an indication of potential issues with the car. Some of the most common reasons include:
Cosmetic purposes: The owner of the car might have changed the colour of the car to give it a fresh new look, to personalise it to their taste or to make it stand out from other vehicles on the road.
Repair damage: If the car has been involved in an accident or suffered damage due to other reasons, the owner might have decided to change the colour of the car as part of the repair process.
Conceal damage: In the same respect, a car's colour might be changed to hide previous damage or repairs, such as from an accident, collision or rust damage. The owner may change the colour in an attempt to make it look as if it hasn't been in an accident to deceive potential buyers.
Faded or worn paint: Over time, the original paint on a car can become faded, scratched or worn out, and a vehicle colour change could be done to restore the vehicle's original appearance.
Stolen: In some cases, a stolen car might have its colour changed to make it look different from its original appearance, making it more difficult to recognise and track down.
What happens if I purchase a colour-changed car?
If you buy a colour-changed vehicle, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and issues that could arise. Some possible consequences of purchasing a colour-changed vehicle include:
- Hidden damage: If the colour change was done to conceal previous damage, such as accident damage or rust, it's possible that you will discover problems with the vehicle down the road. These problems could affect the safety, reliability or resale value of the vehicle and could be costly to repair.
- Issues with paint: If the new paint job was not done professionally or with high-quality materials, you may encounter issues with paint chipping, fading, or peeling over time.
- Insurance and registration issues: If the vehicle's colour does not match the colour listed on the registration or insurance documents, this could create problems if you need to make a claim or transfer ownership of the vehicle.
- Resale value: Some might be hesitant to purchase a colour-changed vehicle, which could affect the resale value of the vehicle.
If you have bought a colour-changed car, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic or body shop to assess the quality of the paint job and check for any signs of hidden damage or repairs. It's also a good idea to ask the seller for the receipts from the colour change service, as this will allow you to find out whether the vehicle colour change was the result of cosmetic changes or substantial repair.
Should I purchase a colour-changed car?
Whether or not you should buy a colour-changed vehicle depends on a number of factors including why the vehicle's colour was changed, the quality of the paint job, and the vehicle's overall condition.
For instance, if the colour change was done for cosmetic reasons and the new paint job is professional and matches the original factory colour, a colour-changed vehicle is not always a bad purchase. However, if the colour change was done to conceal previous damage or disguise the vehicle's identity, then buying a colour-changed car could lead to a range of problems.
Before making a decision, it's important to review the full One Check report, the condition and potential risks of the vehicle, as well as your own personal preferences and priorities.
As with any new car purchase, a One Check is needed before committing to the sale to ensure the vehicle you are looking to buy does not have any fraud-related issues.
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