Buying a used car involves numerous concerns, some of which are closely linked to its possible accident history. While online services that provide extensive reports on the car history can lift some of the used-car buying anxiety, buyers can also check for subtle clues to determine if the car was involved in a serious accident.
This article lists 13 subtle clues to help anyone identify if a car was previously in a major accident.
Coating Thickness Gauge or Paint Meter Can Reveal Body Shop Repairs
By measuring the thickness of the paint coating, including all four layers – e-coat, primer, basecoat, and clearcoat – the buyer can get an accurate representation of the condition of the car body. On cars without any damage, these four coating layers usually measure up to 200 microns (roughly 8 mils) in thickness.
Since body shops cannot apply such a fine coating layer, the coating is far thicker on cars with aftermarket body parts. Buyers should consider raising concerns about the vehicle’s history if the coating thickness on any body panel exceeds 8 mils. The device used to determine coating thickness is called the Paint Meter. It is available for as little as $50 — well worth the cost!
Slight Traces of Paint or Clearcoat on Inadequately Protected Surfaces
Looking for traces of paint or clearcoat on surfaces such as car door seals or any other segment of the automobile that should not be painted or clearcoated can reveal a lack of care during the application of protection while painting. Usually, such traces of paint show that there has been some aftermarket bodywork, which could mean that the car has been in an accident. This is yet another reason to raise an eyebrow and try to find out even more about the history of a particular used car.
Uneven Tire Wear
While several different factors can cause uneven tire wear (alignment issues, worn suspension components, camber angle, suspension problems), it is also true that in combination with some of the clues listed here, uneven tire wear may signal frame damage. If compromised, a damaged or twisted frame affects every driving component and, ultimately, the vehicle’s structural integrity.
Misaligned Panels
Uneven spacing between body panels can tell a story about the hectic history of the car. However, while this clue can shed some light on possible previous accidents, the truth is that some vehicles leave the production line with somewhat uneven and misaligned panels (early production Teslas have been known to have this issue). Vernier caliper can help measure the misaligned panels and panel gaps. While the differently sized panel gaps are most certainly a question mark, this alone is not a big of a tell of a significant accident. Further examination is needed!
The Color of Panels Does Not Match
A keen eye that can discern between minor hue differences in color is a big deal when looking for a used car. Different panels in slightly different colors point to body shop repairs. It is well known that due to poor maintenance and age, original paint on a car can degrade. An entirely newly painted panel will stand out against ‘seasoned’ paint, indicating that the panel was repaired or replaced entirely.
Unpainted Surfaces and Rust
Similarly to the previous entry, unpainted surfaces and rust also indicate some sort of body damage. Metal surfaces of newer cars, with adequately applied coatings, are not prone to rusting. On the other hand, rust can appear on damaged vehicles, particularly where that damage caused the protective layers to be removed.
Mismatched Screws and Fasteners
Lifting the hood of a used car provides a rare glimpse that can reveal a lot about its condition. Mismatched screws or fasteners on the body panels or frame rails can point to a body shop intervention. Usually, the bolts and fasteners stay in their original form for years after the assembly. Scratches, different colors, misalignment, or damage on the screws or fasteners indicate collision repair.
Rear End Frame Damage
Rear-end collisions can cause many issues. Besides possible frame damage, glancing under the trunk door can reveal broken trunk seals or problems opening and closing the trunk doors. While this kind of damage is severe, the possibility of frame damage is far more consequential. With a powerful enough rear-end collision, the frame can bend and misalign, leading to several previously discussed issues. A bent frame causes misaligned doors and atypical body panel gaps, directly affecting the vehicle’s safety.
Door Latch Damage
A car that sustained a significant accident may have problems with door latches. As practice showed, if the doors do not open or close as designed, the door latches may not (or cannot) be adequately aligned. Also, while testing the doors’ functionality, listening to the sounds produced when closing the door can be essential. Replacing door skin without replacing inside insulation is not an unheard-of practice. The sound of closing doors without inside insulation is similar to the sound an empty tin can produce when dropped on a hard surface.
Blemishes in The Paint
Apart from the signs of overspray on the plastic surfaces, an observant eye may catch blemishes in the paint that reveal a careless approach to coating. More often than not, these marks suggest that some work has been done on the body, thus signaling the need for further investigation.
Paint Drips on Steep Surfaces
One of the telltale signs of body restoration is so-called paint drips. These occur on steep surfaces when the body shop applies excessive amounts of clear coat. As imperfections like these never happen in the factory setting, paint drips clearly show that the surface has been repainted.
Craters And Other Imperfections In The Paint
Applying paint and clearcoat requires sterile conditions. Thus, imperfections in the paint usually suggest that the body shop did not follow all recommended procedures when applying finishing coats. Craters in the paint imply that the paint or the clearcoat was contaminated with grease or oil that can be found in body shops. Clues like this undoubtedly indicate that the car was repainted, and if procedures were not followed, it may indicate that due care was not given in the repairs carried out.
History Report
As a final resort, checking vehicle history on services such as Carfax or Car Vertical can provide detailed information on accident history, service records, title verification, mileage verification, and even recalls and warranty details on almost any car. While this system is not bulletproof, it is, more or less, an icing on the cake after inspecting the other clues listed in this article.
Look Out For the Signs!
Cutting the cost of repairs could make it easier for the reseller to sell the car, but practices like that often leave several hidden marks and traces of a job poorly done. Investigating possible body panel issues, problems with the suspension and the frame, and meticulous online research for history reports can reveal the work invested in concealing a major accident, and prevent you from making a big mistake.
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