How to recognise a car repaired after an accident

A repaired car is not automatically a wrong choice

Many used cars have, at some point, had a scratch, a repainted element or minor damage. This does not automatically mean you should give up on buying.

What matters is how serious the accident was, which areas were affected and how the repair was carried out. A repainted door is completely different from an intervention on the chassis rails, pillars, roof or safety systems.

Problems arise when significant damage is hidden, and the car is presented and evaluated as accident-free. To identify such a situation, you need to combine the history available by VIN with a physical and technical inspection.

Check the damage history by VIN

Before you go for a viewing, request the chassis number and check the available history for the car.

Depending on the country of origin and the sources consulted, a report may contain:

• the date the damage was recorded;
• the country where it was reported;
• the affected areas;
• the estimated repair value;
• the mileage recorded at that time;
• photos taken before repair;
• appearances in older auctions or advertisements.

Compare this information with what the seller states. If they claim the car has not been hit, but the report shows a significant event, ask for explanations and documents about the repair.

The financial value of the damage does not always indicate the exact severity. Costs vary depending on the country, make, price of parts and labour rate.

Analyse previous photos

Photos taken before repair can be more relevant than the estimated damage value. They allow you to see which areas were affected and what condition the car was in.

Look out for, in particular:

• the front end and engine compartment;
• the chassis rails;
• the pillars and sills;
• the roof;
• the airbag area;
• the suspension and wheel position;
• the rear end and boot floor.

A bumper, wing or headlight can be replaced without affecting the car's structure. In contrast, deformation of the engine compartment, roof, pillars or floor can indicate structural damage.

Compare the previous photos with the current condition of the vehicle. Check whether the affected elements have been replaced, correctly repaired or merely cosmetically masked.

Look at the bodywork from multiple angles

The car should be inspected when it is clean, dry and, ideally, in natural light. Rain and poor lighting can hide colour differences and paint defects.

Look for:

• differences in shade between elements;
• areas with different gloss or texture;
• traces of paint on seals and plastic elements;
• masking edges;
• particles or runs under the clear coat;
• deformations and undulations of the sheet metal;
• elements that are not correctly aligned.

Also look at the surfaces from the side. Differences in texture and deformations are easier to observe when light reflects obliquely.

Keep in mind that plastic bumpers may have a slightly different shade from metal elements even when the paint is original.

Check the gaps between bodywork elements

The bonnet, doors, wings and boot should have relatively uniform gaps. Poor alignment can indicate the removal or replacement of elements.

Check:

• the distance between the bonnet and wings;
• the alignment of headlights and tail lights;
• the position of the doors relative to the sills;
• the closing of the bonnet and boot;
• the symmetry of the bumpers;
• the differences between the left and right sides.

An unevenly fitted element does not, by itself, prove the existence of a serious accident. It could be the result of a minor repair or incorrect adjustment. However, it does represent a reason for further checks.

Measure the paint layer thickness

A paint thickness gauge can indicate whether an element retains its original finish, has been repainted or contains a layer of filler material.

Measure several points on each element and compare the values between similar areas of the car. Do not draw a conclusion based on a single measurement.

Results may vary depending on:

• make and model;
• manufacturing process;
• material of the element;
• area measured;
• any previous interventions.

A higher value does not automatically mean the repair was poorly done. What is important is whether there are significant differences and if these correspond to the explanations provided by the seller.

Some devices cannot correctly measure parts made of plastic, aluminium or composite materials. Check if the device used is compatible with the surface being analysed.