6. Buying / selling a second hand car – How to Check for Previous Accident Damage
How to Spot Previous Accident Damage
Many used cars on the market today have hidden histories. Knowing how to spot poorly repaired accident damage can save you from a "money pit" or an unsafe vehicle.
Visit Thatcham Research SafetySimple 3-Step Inspection Process
1
The Gap Check: Inspect the gaps between body panels (e.g., between the door and the wing). They should be uniform. Uneven gaps suggest a panel has been replaced or the chassis is misaligned.
2
The Paint Match: Inspect the car in natural daylight. Look for subtle texture differences (like "orange peel") or traces of "overspray" on rubber window seals and plastic trims.
3
The Magnet Test: Run a weak magnet over steel panels. If it fails to stick in certain spots, it often indicates a thick layer of body filler ("Bondo") hiding a dent or previous repair.
Smart Thinking: The 2026 Tech Tax
On 2020+ models, even a minor "parking nudge" can be a major issue. Many cars now have ADAS sensors (radar/cameras) behind the bumper. If the bumper was repaired but the sensors weren't recalibrated, your Automatic Emergency Braking might not work when you need it.
Common Signs of Repair
| The Sign | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Mismatched Bolts | Check the bolts under the bonnet on the inner wings. If the paint on the bolt heads is chipped or they are a different colour, the panels have been removed for repair. |
| New Headlights | If one headlight is crystal clear while the other is "foggy" or aged, it's a classic sign that one corner was hit and the light unit was replaced. |
| Tyre Wear | Severe uneven wear across a single tyre can indicate a bent suspension component or a misaligned chassis that was never straightened correctly after a crash. |
Smart Thinking: The Boot Floor Secret
Always lift the carpet in the boot. Look at the metal where the spare wheel sits. If the metal looks crumpled, wavy, or has non-factory weld marks, the car has almost certainly been involved in a rear-end collision.