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Buyer Beware:
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Frame Terminology:
In an accident, a unibody frame is designed to "crumple" and absorb the energy of an impact better than a Body-on-Frame construction. However, the unibody frame was not designed to take more than one accident. The news magazine "60 Minutes" reported vehicles with unibody frames that were collapsing in low speed accidents (30 mph). After an investigation, these vehicles were shown to have had previously frame damage. A unibody frame vehicle, with previous frame damage, will have had substantially weaken or compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle's frame. The only way to determine the structural safety of a repaired frame vehicle, is to wreck the vehicle again, and see if it survives. Also, there is a direct connection
from vehicles with previous accident damage and chronic
mechanical problems. We hear of people complaining that their car
(Ford, Chevy, Honda, Toyota, etc...) has chronic mechanical
problems. Many times these chronic mechanical problems can be
attributed to some past accident and un-repaired or un-repairable
frame damage. Farmers Insurance Corp. estimated that 40% of all
frame repairs are substandard. A pre-purchase inspection should include a frame inspection performed by Certified Frame expert. An inspection should determine any previous collision damage such as rebuilt or damaged frame channels, frame rails, front and rear frame horns, sub-frames, floor pans, core supports, upper and lower control arms, valence panels, cross members, rust damage, frame alterations, non-factory welds, etc. A Certified Frame expert will be able to tell the buyer if the frame is the same as when it came from the factory or, the the extent of any previous accident damage and the quality of any repairs. Most automotive technicians have little or no experience in frame analysis or repair. There is big difference between a mechanical technician and a body technician. Rarely will you find a shop that has ASE Master Technicians and ASE Certified Body and Frame Technicians under one roof. Before purchasing, be sure to have the vehicle's frame professionally inspected by a Certified Frame Specialist. Every Auto P. I. Inspector is a ASE Certified Master Technician for the mechanical and
electrical systems and is also certified in Body and Frame
Analysis. This combination of Master Technician and Frame Analysis make our Inspectors
some of the best qualified technicians to perform pre-purchase inspections.
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"Before you buy... Call Auto P. I."
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Auto P. I. Used Car Inspections, LLC |
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Unibody Construction: Most vehicles today are manufactured with a Unitized Body/Frame (Unibody) construction. This is a manufacturing process where sheet metal is
bent and formed then spot welded together to create
a box which makes up the structural frame and functional body of the car. These
vehicles have "crumple Zones" to protect the passengers in case of a collision.
Body-on-Frame Construction: Most heavy duty
trucks and a few premium full-size cars are still manufactured with a body-on-frame
construction. This is a manufacturing process which a weight-bearing frame is welded together and then the engine, driveline, suspension,
and body are bolted to the frame.
