Bodywork and paint report
It is the document we give you after inspecting a car, whether you are buying or selling. Clear, with photos, and explained in person.
What the report is for
To decide
It helps you decide whether to buy a car, sell it as it is or repair it first.
To negotiate
Photos and readings are concrete arguments when you talk about the price.
To build trust
If you are selling, the buyer sees the car's condition described by a bodywork and paint shop.
What the report covers
We organise it by area of the car so it is easy to read, even if you are not in the trade.
Paint map
Paint thickness readings per panel, highlighting parts that seem resprayed or filled.
Bodywork and structure
Dents, panel gaps, non-factory welds and sealer, and any sign of structural impact.
Glass, headlights and plastics
Condition of the windscreen, windows, headlights, rear lights, bumpers and trims.
Underbody, rust and interior
Rust underneath and in hidden areas, damp and the cosmetic condition of the cabin.
Paperwork
What we checked with you: the DGT vehicle report, ITV, charges and ownership.
Photos and conclusions
Photos of each relevant point and a summary of what we consider important and what is minor.
The report is limited to bodywork, paint, structure and paperwork, and reflects the car's condition on the day of the inspection. It is not a valuation or a guarantee.
A report designed to be understood
A list of numbers is no use if you do not know how to read it. So as well as giving you the report, we explain it in person or by phone when we finish. We tell you what each finding means and how much weight we give it.
A bumper resprayed after a scrape is not the same as a wing with thick filler or a chassis rail with non-factory welds. The first is normal on a car with a few years behind it; the last deserves a careful look. In the report we separate the minor from the relevant.
Paint readings, explained
Factory paint has a fairly even thickness across the whole car. When a panel has been resprayed, or has body filler underneath, the thickness changes. With the gauge we take readings at several points on each panel and compare them.
A high reading does not necessarily mean a bad repair, but it does mean that panel has been in a body shop. We cross-check it with what we see: shade, texture, orange peel, overspray on seals, panel gaps and bolts. That way we reach reasoned conclusions rather than guesses.
Structure, underbody and paperwork
Beyond the paint, the report records what we see in the structure: signs that the car has been on a chassis jig, non-factory welds on chassis rails or wheel arches, or sealer that differs from the original. We also note the condition of the underbody, where the salt air in the south of Tenerife encourages corrosion, and any damp inside the cabin. Finally, we record what we checked in the paperwork, such as a valid ITV, charges and ownership, so you have all the information in one place.
What to do with the report
- If you are buying: use it to decide and to negotiate. If something needs fixing, we can give you an estimate before you close the deal.
- If you are selling: show it to interested buyers. It builds trust and avoids arguments.
- If the car is already yours: it tells you how your car is and helps you plan repairs.
The report is part of our pre-purchase inspection and our pre-sale inspection. If you are interested, request an appointment and we will tell you how to arrange it.
Frequently asked questions
What format is the report in?
We give it to you in writing with photos, in a format you can easily keep and share. We confirm the details when you book.
Does it include a valuation of the car?
No. We describe the condition of the bodywork, paint, structure and paperwork, but we do not put a price on the car.
Can I show it to a buyer?
Yes, it is designed for that too. It reflects the car's condition on the day we inspected it.
What does the report not cover?
Anything outside bodywork, paint, structure and paperwork. We stick to our speciality so that what we tell you is reliable.
More on pre-purchase and pre-sale checks
Pre-purchase inspection
Before you pay, we check the bodywork, paint, structure and paperwork of the car you are interested in.
See servicePre-sale inspection
We inspect your car before you put it up for sale, so you know its condition and can show it with full transparency.
See servicePre-sale preparation
Polishing, headlights, touch-ups, small dents and cleaning, so your car looks as it is: well looked after.
See serviceWhat people often believe, and what actually happens
Six ideas we often hear at the garage that are worth clearing up.
“A car that's been in an accident is never right again.”
If the structure is brought back to its measurements on a jig and joints, sealing and protection are reproduced as at the factory, the repair is sound and safe.
“My insurer decides where my car is repaired.”
As a rule you can choose the garage. Some policies offer perks at their partner garages: we help you read yours before you decide.
“A small dent can wait.”
A scrape that lifts the paint leaves bare metal exposed. With the sun and salty air in the south of the island, corrosion sets in sooner than you think.
“Eco-friendly paint is lower quality.”
A paint with fewer solvents can give an equally durable finish. What makes the difference is the preparation and the application.
“A used car that looks good has never been in a crash.”
A well-polished respray can go unnoticed at first glance. A paint thickness gauge and a check of panel gaps, sealing and welds give it away.
“It doesn't matter where it's painted: paint is paint.”
What you can't see —surface preparation, anti-corrosion protection and painting in a booth— is what decides how long the repair lasts.
Shall we prepare an estimate?
Tell us what your car needs and we'll reply with a written estimate, with no obligation.
Do the online check-in: your details, the vehicle and photos of the damage, from your phone before you come.
Check your car in online- Written estimateBefore we start you know what will be done and what it costs.
- No obligationWe give you the estimate; you decide.
- Collection & deliveryIf it suits you, we come and pick up the car.
Request an estimate
Tell us what's wrong with the car. For bodywork or paint, photos via WhatsApp help a lot.
Rather talk? Call us on 922 73 64 47 or message us on WhatsApp at 674 06 13 71.