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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Is My Car Totaled Quiz: Spot the Signs of a Total Loss

Quick, free car total loss quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kaye Pnklvs CaneteUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a quiz on identifying totaled cars on a coral background

This quiz helps you answer 'is my car totaled' by spotting signs of severe damage, from bent frames to flood clues. Use it to make safer decisions after a crash or before buying a used car. If you're comparing options, try our car buying quiz, and build your basics with the car parts quiz or the engine parts quiz.

What does Actual Cash Value (ACV) represent in an insurance total loss assessment?
The cost to replace the car with a new one
The original MSRP of the vehicle
The price you still owe on the auto loan
The vehicle's market value immediately before the loss (minus normal depreciation) (Correct: ACV is the pre-loss market value insurers use to compare against repair costs)
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What is the primary purpose of GAP insurance in a total loss scenario?
To cover your deductible
To bridge the gap if your loan payoff exceeds the ACV payout (Correct: GAP covers negative equity)
To increase your ACV appraisal
To pay for OEM parts during repairs
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What does a salvage title generally signify?
The vehicle was deemed a total loss by an insurer (Correct: Salvage status follows a total loss)
The vehicle passed a state safety inspection
The vehicle has a minor traffic citation on record
The vehicle is new and never titled
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Why do professional shops perform an OBD-II scan after a collision?
To detect crash-related diagnostic trouble codes and sensor faults (Correct: Scans reveal impact-induced system faults)
To reset the odometer
To change the vehicle's VIN
To tune the engine for more power
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How do insurers typically treat pre-existing damage found during a claim?
They increase ACV for it
They deny the entire claim
They exclude it and only pay for new, loss-related damage (Correct: Only accident-related damage is covered)
They cover it fully
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Why do body shops perform a teardown before finalizing an estimate on a hit vehicle?
To reduce labor hours on paper
To find hidden damage and write accurate supplements (Correct: Disassembly reveals non-visible damage)
To change the VIN
To remove usable parts for resale
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An insurer uses a 75% total loss threshold. Your car's ACV is $12,000 and the repair estimate is $9,600. Is it likely a total loss under that rule?
Yes, because any repair over $5,000 is a total loss
No, because the estimate must exactly equal the threshold
No, because any repair below $10,000 is not a total loss
Yes, because $9,600 is 80% of $12,000 (Correct: 9,600/12,000 = 0.80, exceeding the 75% threshold)
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What is a diminished value claim?
A claim for unpaid loan balance after a total loss
A claim for aftermarket upgrades
A claim for the loss of market value after a crash, even when repaired (Correct: Diminished value captures stigma and reduced resale price)
A claim for the cost of rental while your car is repaired
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What does a rebuilt (or reconstructed) title usually mean?
The vehicle can never be registered
A previously salvaged vehicle has been repaired and passed a required inspection (Correct: Rebuilt titles follow repair and inspection)
The vehicle is brand new from the factory
The vehicle has only cosmetic damage
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Which best describes the difference between body-on-frame and unibody construction?
There is no difference for repair methods
Body-on-frame separates body and frame; unibody integrates structure and body (Correct: This affects how structural damage is assessed)
Body-on-frame vehicles have the body and frame as a single structure
Unibody vehicles have separate, bolted body and frame
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In a collision, what is the function of seatbelt pretensioners?
To lock the belt and remove slack at impact (Correct: Pretensioners tighten the belt to restrain occupants)
To inflate airbags faster
To unlock the doors after a crash
To deploy the hood for pedestrian safety
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In a Total Loss Formula (TLF) state, which combination typically triggers a total loss?
Repair cost > salvage value
Salvage value > deductible
Repair cost alone > deductible
Repair cost + salvage value > ACV (Correct: If the sum exceeds ACV, the vehicle is deemed a total loss in TLF states)
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What does a junk (or non-repairable) title indicate?
The vehicle can be rebuilt for road use
The vehicle has passed emissions testing
The vehicle has an extended warranty
The vehicle is only suitable for parts or scrap and cannot be retitled for road use (Correct: Junk titles end road use)
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After a windshield with a forward camera is replaced, what is commonly required?
Battery replacement
Manual alignment of body panels
No additional work; it self-calibrates in all cars
ADAS camera calibration to restore system accuracy (Correct: Many systems require static/dynamic calibration)
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What might a visible kink near a unibody rail or pinch weld suggest?
Structural damage that may require pulling or sectioning (Correct: Kinks indicate load path deformation)
A minor scratch
A faulty tire
A dirty undercarriage
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Why measure body diagonals on a damaged vehicle?
To set tire pressure
To check paint color
To estimate fuel economy
To verify the body is square and detect twist or shift (Correct: Unequal diagonals indicate structural displacement)
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Vehicles with deployable active hoods require special resets and parts after deployment.
False
True
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Which best describes how insurers determine ACV adjustments for options and trim when valuing a total loss?
By asking the selling dealer for a price guarantee
By using the loan payoff amount
By using comparable sales and adding or subtracting for equipment and condition (Correct: Market comps adjusted for features inform ACV)
By ignoring all options and using base model only
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What is the most reliable way to confirm color match before final paint on a repaired panel?
Mix paint once and spray the car
Check it on a phone screen
Estimate from memory
Spray a test panel/spray-out card and compare under varied lighting (Correct: Test panels verify match)
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What is the purpose of a road-force balance after wheel or tire impact damage?
To match tire stiffness variation with wheel to reduce vibration (Correct: Road-force balancing addresses radial force variation)
To align the headlights
To inflate run-flat tires
To rotate the tires only
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Warning Signs -

    After taking the is my car totaled quiz, you will recognize body panel gaps, paint inconsistencies, and other primary red flags of a totaled car.

  2. Analyze Hidden Damage -

    Learn how to detect concealed issues beneath the surface by following prompts from our used car inspection quiz.

  3. Apply Systematic Inspection Techniques -

    Implement a step-by-step checklist covering the engine bay, frame, and interior to ensure you don't miss critical damage clues.

  4. Evaluate Repair vs. Replacement Costs -

    Compare estimated repair expenses with the vehicle's market value to decide whether a salvage title car is worth the investment.

  5. Detect Subtle Frame and Structural Issues -

    Spot minor misalignments, weld scars, and suspension anomalies that often reveal a car has been in a severe accident.

  6. Make Data-Driven Buying Decisions -

    Use your score from the how to tell if car is totaled quiz to negotiate confidently or walk away from a dangerous deal.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Structural Frame Alignment -

    Before taking the is my car totaled quiz, use a simple diagonal measurement test from opposite corners to confirm the frame is true; if distances differ by more than a few millimeters, it suggests previous collision damage (SAE International). Michigan Tech research recommends measuring across windshield corners and rocker panels for reliable results. A handy mnemonic is "Check Diagonals Don't Differ" to recall this crucial step.

  2. Panel Gap & Paint Consistency -

    Inspect door-to-fender and hood-to-fender gaps with a feeler gauge or your thumb - irregular spacing often reveals misaligned or replaced panels (Automotive Body Repair Technology Journal). Look for overspray or uneven paint layers, which signal hidden repairs. Remember the phrase "Gaps That Rap Show Mishap" to keep this tip in mind during your used car inspection quiz.

  3. Airbag & Safety System Inspection -

    Check seams around the dashboard and steering wheel for tampering or replacement signs; deployed airbags must be professionally reset, and telltale bolt marks or fresh trim indicate past impacts (NHTSA). Verify that all warning lights cycle on startup and remain off during ignition - persistent fault codes can hide structural damage. Use the acronym "SAFE" (Seams, Airbag cover, Fault codes, Equipment OK) to guide your detect totaled car signs checklist.

  4. Fluid Leaks & Mechanical Health -

    Examine the undercarriage for fresh oil, coolant, or brake fluid; each color tells a story - green/pink for coolant or amber for brake fluid - which may mean damaged radiators or brake lines (SAE Journal on Vehicle Maintenance). Kick each tire to check for consistent air pressure and look for shocks that rebound too quickly. A quick "Squeeze, Spray, Spot" routine helps you recall suspension, leaks, and chassis checks in your used car inspection quiz.

  5. VIN History & Title Branding -

    Run the VIN through NHTSA's database and reputable services like CARFAX to reveal salvage titles, flood damage, or past total-loss events. Cross-reference odometer readings and service records - discrepancies often flag rolled-back mileage or undisclosed repairs (Federal Trade Commission guidelines). Memorize "VINT" (VIN, Inspection records, Narrative, Title status) to ace the totaled car quiz.

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