Purchasing a used vehicle carries inherent risk, particularly when prior accident damage is not properly disclosed. Even well-presented vehicles may conceal structural or cosmetic repairs that affect safety, reliability, and resale value. Understanding how to identify signs of previous collision damage is essential for making an informed purchasing decision.
This guide outlines practical inspection methods used to detect accident-related repairs, from exterior inconsistencies to documentation gaps. These checks help buyers reduce exposure to hidden defects before committing to a vehicle purchase.
Visual Inspection
Initial assessment should begin with a thorough exterior inspection conducted in good lighting conditions. Differences in paint colour, gloss level, or texture between adjacent panels often indicate repainting following accident repairs.
Panel gaps around doors, the bonnet, and the boot should be uniform. Irregular spacing or misalignment commonly suggests the vehicle has been dismantled and reassembled after structural impact.
Paint Condition
Initial assessment should begin with a thorough exterior inspection conducted in good lighting conditions. Differences in paint colour, gloss level, or texture between adjacent panels often indicate repainting following accident repairs.
Panel gaps around doors, the bonnet, and the boot should be uniform. Irregular spacing or misalignment commonly suggests the vehicle has been dismantled and reassembled after structural impact.
Frame Integrity
Structural components play a critical role in occupant safety and must be carefully examined. Bent frame rails, wrinkled metal, or irregular seams beneath the vehicle indicate significant collision damage.
Fresh undercoating or recently applied paint on frame members may be used to conceal repairs. These areas require closer scrutiny, as compromised structural integrity affects crash performance.
Door Alignment
Doors, the bonnet, and the boot should operate smoothly without resistance or abnormal noise. Difficulty opening or closing often reflects underlying structural distortion.
Hinges and latches should also be reviewed. Replacement hardware or adjustment marks on older vehicles may indicate accident-related repairs rather than routine servicing.
Weld Quality
Non-factory welds are a strong indicator of collision repairs. Door jambs, engine bays, and rear compartments should be inspected for weld consistency.
Factory welds are uniform and evenly spaced. Repair welds are typically rough, uneven, and may display visible splatter or grinding marks.
Glass Condition
Glass inspection can reveal impact history. Windows or windscreens with date codes that do not align with the vehicle’s production year often indicate replacement due to collision damage.
Stress cracks, even when repaired, show where impact forces were absorbed and should be considered during the assessment.
Interior
Interior components frequently show evidence of accident damage. Airbag warning lights on the dashboard require immediate attention, as improperly repaired airbag systems pose serious safety risks.
Loose trim, misaligned dashboard panels, or mismatched interior components may indicate collision damage extending beyond the exterior.
Documentation
Service records and repair documentation provide essential transparency. Missing records or unexplained gaps in service history may conceal accident-related repairs.
A vehicle history report obtained through PPSR or similar services can confirm recorded accidents, insurance claims, or write-off status, supporting due diligence obligations.
Professional Inspection
Mobile Vehicle Inspections provides comprehensive pre-purchase inspections throughout Melbourne. Certified inspectors assess more than 200 inspection points using specialised tools and proven assessment methods.
These inspections include paint thickness analysis, structural evaluation, component alignment checks, and safety system verification. Detailed reports equip buyers with clear, objective findings.
Identifying previous accident damage protects both financial investment and occupant safety. Many collision-related defects are not visible during casual inspections and require professional expertise to detect accurately.
A thorough inspection process supports informed purchasing decisions and reduces the likelihood of unexpected repair costs after purchase.
