How to Tell If Car Is Totaled: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions

When buying a used car, repairing an old car, or trading a damaged car, everyone wants to get good value for money. But do you know how to tell if car is totaled? Sometimes, the damage to a used car is so severe that fixing it costs more than the actual car’s value.

In this scenario, your car is considered totaled. But what exactly does that mean? How can you tell if your car is totaled? This guide will help you know the key signs of a totaled car, the steps to identify a totaled car, and what to do if the car is totaled.

Table of contents

• What is a totaled car?
• How to Tell If Car Is Totaled: Key Signs
• Visual Clues to Tell If Car Is Totaled
• Engine Damage and Other Signs of a Totaled Car
• What to Do If Your Car Is Totaled
• Preventive Measures
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is a totaled car?

If the cost of repairing the car is more than the car’s worth, it is totaled. For example, if the actual car value is $7000 and the repairing cost is around $8000, the car is likely totaled. In such a case, the insurance companies mostly pay the market price of the car rather than the repair cost.

Important

Remember that the totaled car does not mean that the car has to be completely destroyed. It means the car is still functional, but fixing some expensive issues does not make financial sense. Each state in the USA has its own rules for considering a car as totaled. For more clarification on a totaled car, you may consult any reputable totaled car lawyer in the USA.

How to Tell If Car Is Totaled: Key Signs

To tell if the car is totaled or not, check for visual clues, engine damage, mechanical faults, and electrical issues. Some of the key clues are damage to the front side, a broken or bent frame, serious body damage, deployed airbags, fire or flood damage, major fluid leaks, and engine and transmission issues.

Visual Clues to Tell If Car Is Totaled

Visual clues help you tell if your car is totaled through interior and exterior inspection. Here are some common visual signs of a totaled car:

Severe damage to the front of your car

The front car damage is critical because important parts like the engine, radiator, and headlights are at the front. If the front is severely damaged due to an accident, it can be an indication of a totaled car. Even after expensive repairs, some issues continue to exist, like car overheating when idle, car hesitation when accelerating, etc.

The frame is bent or broken

The frame is the main structure of a car, like the skeleton of our body. If the frame is bent, twisted, or broken, the car becomes totally unsafe and uncomfortable to drive. Repairing the body frame is highly costly, even more than the car’s value in some cases. Therefore, a car with a damaged body frame is considered a totaled car.

Serious body damage

Other serious and expensive damages include large dents, highly rusted bodies, crushed doors, or caved-in roofs. Minor scratches on paint and body damage are repairable, but severe body damage costs too much. Due to this reason, many people prefer to sell the car instead of repairing it.

Airbags have been deployed

The primary purpose of airbags is to protect you during an accident. You can replace the airbags once they are deployed, and this is not too expensive. The bad thing is that it is an indication of a serious car accident. So, if the airbag is deployed, there will likely be other damages to repair, which might cost more than the car’s value.

Damage from fire or flood

If the car is damaged by fire or flood, it is likely to be a totaled car. Fire can destroy important components like the engine, wiring, and interior. Flooding also causes huge damage to engines, electrical systems, and interior upholstery. Additionally, if the car’s body gets rusted due to a flood, repairing it will be too costly.

Engine Damage and Other Signs of a Totaled Car

Still wondering how to tell if car is totaled or not. Check the interior because, in some cases, the damage may not be visible from the outside, but it exits on the inside. Here are some internal signs of a totaled car:

Major fluid leaks after an accident

To find out if the car is totaled, check the fluid leakages in the car. If you notice oil, coolant, or transmission fluid leaking, it could be an indication of severe internal damage. Once the fluid starts leaking from these areas, fixing them is impossible or very expensive.

Engine or transmission issues

If you face issues with the engine or transmission, it is a big red flag. The engine and transmission system are the most important and expensive parts of a car. If you find severe issues in these parts, the car is totaled. Fixing the engine and transmission can sometimes cost more than the car’s value. So, if you are wondering how to tell if car is totaled or not, you must also check the mechanical aspects.

Car is old or has high mileage

Older cars with high mileage usually have a low market value. Fixing the mileage is usually not possible, or the cost exceeds the car’s value, which leads to a total loss. For example, a 15-year-old car with over 150,000 miles is considered to be a totaled car because of the existence of several issues.

Fixing a car costs more than it’s worth

Ultimately, a car is considered totaled when repair costs are more than its market value. Therefore, when buying the car, take the expert with you to calculate the repair cost. You might be wondering, Can you trade in a damaged car? Yes, you can, but if the repair cost is more than the car’s value, things will get difficult. In that case, the insurance company will likely declare your car a total loss and offer you the market price of the car instead of the repair cost.

What to Do If Your Car Is Totaled

Now you know how to tell if your car is totaled or not. The next step is to figure out what to do if your car is totaled.

Steps to take after a total loss detection

1. Report the accident to your insurance company.
2. Get a damage assessment from a mechanic or insurance adjuster.
3. Gather important documents like your car title and insurance policy.
4. Negotiate the payout with your insurance company.

How to file an insurance claim for a totaled car

1. Contact your insurer and provide details of the accident.
2. Submit repair estimates and photos of the damage.
3. Wait for the insurance company to assess the total loss.
4. Receive your settlement and decide whether to buy a new car or repair the old one.

Dealing with car loans after a total loss

If you have the remaining loan on your car, the insurance company will send the payout to the lender first. In case the payout is not enough to cover the remaining loan, you will have to pay it yourself.

Understanding gap insurance

Gap insurance means the difference between the remaining loan and the insurance payout. Understanding this is important if you owe more than the market value of the car. When the market value of a car is less than the remaining loan, then the car has negative equity. Learning how to trade in a car with negative equity can help you make an informed decision.

Preventive Measures

Tips to avoid a total loss

• Drive carefully to avoid accidents and follow traffic laws.
• Park in secure places to avoid theft and vandalism.
• Avoid driving a car through floods and on too many rough surfaces.
• Keep your car safe from heavy rains, hail, flood, etc.
• If your car is damaged through hail, first decide: Is it worth it to fix hail damage on a car?
• Keep away the things from the car that can catch fire.

How regular maintenance can protect the car’s value

• On-time oil changes and regular fluid checks can keep the engine in good shape.
• Keep your car clean to prevent rust and damage.
• Do a regular brake and light inspection of your car.

Conclusion

Knowing how to tell if a car is totaled can help you make smart decisions. Whether it’s severe damage, a bent frame, or high repair costs, identifying the signs of a totaled car saves you time and money. Stay safe, drive carefully, and keep your car well-maintained to avoid future issues. If your car has been declared a total loss, report it to the insurance company, estimate the extent of damage, gather the required documents, and negotiate the payout with your insurance service provider.