I have an opportunity to buy a vehicle that had been in an accident with an airbag deployment that was subsequently repaired. I've always said I wouldn't consider buying such a vehicle, but I'm wondering if it might not be worth considering as long as I can have it inspected by a mechanic or collision repair place prior to purchase. Anybody ever bought one or have thoughts?

I think you answered your own question. Get it inspected.

Make sure the title is clear and it isn't a "salvage" title. If it has a salvage title it was probably a total that was rebuilt, stay away.

Clean title, not a salvage.

Just know that a deployed airbag shows up a things like Carfax. It might affect value later. I once bought a new truck at a good discount because computer malfunctioned and said bag deployed. If code gets cleared by dealer it has to be disclosed.

Yup. Reason I know about the airbag is from the Carfax. Asking price seems to reflect that.

If there was enough "shock" to cause an airbag deployment, what could have the shock done to electrical components which can not be inspected? Make a very low ball offer and explain that you are reserving money to repair future items which are now not apparent.

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Bill

The only way to tell if the car has been properly repaired is to put it back on a chassis bench and see if all the suspension points/chassis points are in the right place and that is an expensive process. You would be much better off looking at something else.

Stu
retired Mercedes mechanic

If it's an older car it may have been totaled because the airbags deployed even though the damage wasn't that bad. Replacing the airbags could have cost more than the value of the car. It happened to my grandson when his older Honda Civic was in an accident so they totaled it.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

depends on how new it is.
The newer the car, the worse this gets.
The modern vehicle is equipped with over 100 computers all intertwined through various systems.
A collision will likely involve repairs where one or more of these computers must be addressed.
If your shop misses a base, it can pitch a fit.

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it just needs more voltage

My kid had a rollover in his new (to him) 2019 F-150 a few weeks ago. Airbags deployed. He said the truck wasn't boogered too much. The adjuster said once the airbags deploy, they consider it a total. Nice side of it is insurance paid out more than he paid for the truck and he's now dating the adjuster.

Titles can be 'washed' to remove their salvaged status.

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Common sense isn't so common.

As others stated check carfax and get it inspected.
BUT, make sure they hook up a scanner and check for codes indicating any issues.
These scanners can find issues with the SRS , supplemental restraint system, park sensors etc.

Besides the items mentioned, I'll add another. I put my late son through a tech school for auto repair. This included ICAR (body work) certification. Due to the need for reducing fuel consumption, the industry is making more use of high strength, low alloy parts in some areas. These are one use items, if damaged they're SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED.

In his job search interviews he discovered a lot of shops might/might not bill you for the replacement part and installation, but will refurbish the damaged part and reuse it on your car.