Rep Power: 0

Apologies if this isn't the correct sub-forum...I'm helping a friend look for a used Civic. I saw a 2017 LX listed on Craigslist and it had a Rebuilt/Salvage title. If I ever consider a salvage vehicle, I always first get a VIN and then head over to:

{removed link for safety - moderation team]

so I can see pics of the damage from the insurance auction.

OK, so I see this listing and get the VIN from the seller. I notice that the steering wheel airbag had deployed. When I texted the seller and asked if he had receipts for the repairs, he replied that he did all the work himself except for paint. When I further probed about the airbag, he informed me the steering wheel now has NO airbag. He didn't disclose this in the listing. It appears he just sold the vehicle because the listing has been deleted, but it got me thinking: is this legal and what would he have had to do to suppress/disable an airbag light on the console? I have to believe the system would alert if there was a non-working or non-existent airbag, right?

In my state, at least, it is legal to sell a vehicle where an airbag has been removed or disabled. However, the seller is legally required to disclose this to the buyer. Not doing so is potentially fraudulent and I can't imagine the legal liability the seller would be in if a buyer was in an accident and that's when they learned they had no airbag. But getting back to my specific question: how can I best evaluate a salvage vehicle to know if the seller tampered with or disabled an airbag? I know the risks of buying salvage vehicles, but I'd never contemplated that a shady seller could potentially do this without there being some sort of alert...

 
Rep Power: 221

Step 1:
Never buy a salvage vehicle.
Unless it's only going to provide parts.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hey @Colin42, thx for the worthless post. Based on a review of threads on this forum after I joined, I kind of expected I'd get as much. As I mentioned, I fully understand there are risks involved with purchasing a salvage vehicle, but the reality is that if you do your due diligence, review the auction records and photos, etc., there are some great deals to be had with them. However, I never considered that someone could not replace an airbag without the SRS system raising an alert. Thus the reason for my inquiry.

Again, thx for nothing.

 
Rep Power: 125

Some pretty upscale code readers are able to tell what’s been cleared or tampered with, airbag system included. They’re the ones that cost a few grand though.

 
Rep Power: 366

anyone can remove the bulb for the SRS in the dash...
some people just risky...