(NAPSI)—Many used car shoppers avoid cars that have been in an accident but their loss may be your gain. Here are some tips to help you find a bargain:

• Severity. If the vehicle was in only a minor accident, it could work out in your favor. You might pay less for a great car that just needed a few parts replaced.
• Structure. Check for reported frame or unibody damage; specialists can measure the frame to see if it’s outside manufacturer specs.
• Get a Vehicle History Report. Accidents reported to Carfax often include helpful details like what areas of the vehicle were damaged, airbag deployments, if the vehicle had to be towed and so on.
• Take it to a mechanic to verify whether the repairs were done properly and the vehicle is safe. For more advice, search for “accident damage” on the Carfax.com blog.