my car has some minor damage in the front from a small collision by the previous owner from someone backing into the car. i'm thinking it might have been enough for the airbag to deploy. how can you mechanically check whether the airbag has been deployed before? thanks in advance

 

u look at the airbag and see if the cover's been tampered with, its VERY HARD to hide a patched airbag.. and check the SRS light when u first turn the car to make sure it lights up.. if it lights up and turns off after a few seconds it should be ok.