A car that has been in a serious accident can look excellent once repaired. What separates it from an undamaged car doesn't show in photographs or at a glance — but it does show to someone who knows where to look, in the places paint doesn't usually reach. These signs are ordered from the easiest to the most exacting.
Crouch at the front corner and look along the flank. Original paint reflects light consistently across every panel; a resprayed panel reflects it slightly differently, or with too much gloss. Do this outdoors in daylight — artificial lighting hides the difference completely.
The gap between door and wing, and between bonnet and both wings, should be even along its whole length and the same on both sides of the car. A gap that widens at one end and narrows at the other means a panel has been refitted, or the shell itself has moved.
Fresh paint is typically sprayed on visible surfaces, not on inner edges and bolt seats. Check:
The boot floor and spare wheel well are among the most revealing areas for a rear impact. Look for creased metal, paint that doesn't match the rest of the well, or rust in one spot and nowhere else.
Most original glass carries a manufacturer's mark and a year. If one window's glass carries a different mark or a later year than the rest, it has been replaced — and glass is rarely replaced without a reason.
| What you find | The verdict |
|---|---|
| One panel resprayed (a wing or a door) | Usually fine — a scrape or a scratch. Negotiate on price |
| Several adjacent panels resprayed on one side | Worth a mechanic's inspection before going further |
| Uneven gaps between panels | Suggests the shell has moved — risky |
| Hand welding or creasing in the boot floor | Major rear impact — walk away |
| Car pulls to one side under braking on level road | Structural or braking problem — don't buy before inspection |
Everything above you can do yourself in ten minutes. What you can't see is whether the shell is out of alignment, and that needs an independent mechanic — one you choose, not one the seller recommends. A seller refusing an independent inspection is itself a sufficient answer.
A well-repaired accident isn't necessarily a reason to refuse, but it's always a reason to reduce the price — and structural damage is a reason to walk. Learn to read edges, gaps and glass rather than stopping at the surface.
Browse the car listings, and read the full buying guide before your viewing.
Sight along the side in daylight to spot differing light reflection between panels, check that the gaps between doors and wings are even, inspect inner edges and hinge bolt heads, and lift the boot carpet.
Not always. One resprayed panel is usually acceptable and a matter for negotiation. But uneven panel gaps or hand welding in the boot floor mean structural damage, and that is a reason to walk away.
Artificial lighting completely hides the difference in gloss between an original panel and a resprayed one, and hides traces of rust. Viewing at night or in the rain removes your most useful detection tool.
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