Signs that a used car has been in an accident

A used car having had a knock is not, in itself, a reason to rule it out. Plenty of cars have been to the bodyshop and come out perfect. What matters is knowing about it, understanding what was repaired and how, and seeing that reflected in the price. The problem comes when the damage is not mentioned or the repair was done badly. Here are the most common signs you can look for on a first viewing.

Before you start: how to look

Arrange to see the car in daylight and clean. Rain, darkness or a freshly waxed car hide a lot. Walk slowly round the car and crouch down to look along the panels against the light. Bring a small torch to look inside the bonnet, the boot and underneath.

Ask to see the car without being rushed. A seller who hurries you along or only shows the car at dusk is not necessarily dishonest, but it is a good reason to come back another day when the light is better.

Signs in the paint

• Differences in shade between neighbouring panels, such as a door slightly lighter than the wing. With metallic paint, change your angle: that is where it shows most.
• Different texture: a panel with more orange peel, or smoother, than the rest.
• Overspray on rubbers, trims, glass or bolts. It shows the panel was painted without being removed or properly masked.
• Cut or sanding lines in the paint, especially on pillars and the roof.
• Specks, runs or dust trapped in the clear coat in one particular area.

Signs in the panels and fit

• Uneven gaps between bonnet and wings, between doors, or between tailgate and rear lights. Compare left and right.
• Ripples in a panel's reflection, which can reveal dent work or too much filler.
• Doors, bonnet or boot that are hard to close or do not sit flush.
• Hinge or wing bolts with tool marks or chipped paint, a sign they have been removed.

Signs under the bonnet and in the boot

Open the bonnet and the boot. Look at the chassis rails, the inner wheel arches and the boot floor. Look for seam sealer that looks different from the factory finish, welds that do not look original, creased metal or repainted areas. Lift the boot carpet and check the spare wheel well: it is a place where rear impacts show clearly.

Signs in glass, lights and plastics

• Glass from different makers, or with manufacturing dates very different from the rest, can point to a replacement.
• One new headlamp and one aged one are often the clue to a front-end impact.
• Plastics with different colour or gloss from one side to the other.

What to do if you find something

Ask the seller directly. An honest seller will explain what happened and where it was repaired, and will sometimes show you the invoice. If the answers do not match what you see, or if you suspect something in the structure, the prudent step is to have a workshop inspect the car before you pay. A paint thickness gauge and an inspection with the car raised say far more than a walk round it.

At Green Car Service Tenerife we carry out a pre-purchase inspection focused on bodywork, paint, structure and paperwork, and give you a bodywork and paint report with photos so you can decide with full information.