2023 HYUNDAI SONATA SEL

The auction records list the vehicle as having a salvage title and identify the primary damage as “SIDE.” Stage 1 reports that the visible severe damage on the right side supports the auction’s SIDE classification; however, salvage-title status cannot be confirmed from the photos. The 2023 Hyundai Sonata has severe collision damage concentrated on the right rear side. The right rear passenger door is extensively crushed and dented, with multiple deep creases across the middle and lower sections. The paint is heavily scraped, and underlying material is exposed near the lower rear portion. The right-side sill below the rear door is also severely crushed and torn near the rear wheel, with scraped paint and exposed brown-colored substrate. The right rear quarter panel and wheel-arch area have moderate dents and scraping along the lower section and around the front portion of the wheel opening. A large exterior panel or trim piece is detached and lying on the pavement behind the right rear wheel, while the lower side and rear bumper trim area appears incomplete. The VIN identifies this vehicle as a 2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL sedan built in South Korea, equipped with a 2.5-liter gasoline GDI THETA III engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Listed factory safety equipment includes front, side, and curtain airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, traction control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear visibility system. Two NHTSA recalls are listed for this model and year. Recall 23V526000 concerns the Idle Stop & Go electric oil-pump controller, which may overheat and increase the risk of fire; the remedy involves inspection and replacement of the controller as necessary. Recall 25V796000 concerns a damaged fuel-tank check valve that may allow the tank to expand and contact hot exhaust components, potentially causing melting and a fuel leak; the remedy includes inspection or replacement of the check valve and fuel-tank assembly as necessary, along with an engine-control-unit software update. Recall completion should be verified by VIN with Hyundai or an authorized dealer. Because the damage involves the door, rocker panel, quarter panel, wheel-arch area, and lower bumper-side trim, a thorough inspection is recommended before purchase. This should include checking the underlying side structure, door and latch operation, suspension and wheel alignment, wiring and safety systems, and confirming that all required salvage-repair inspections and recall remedies have been completed.