How to Inspect a Car Body

When purchasing a used vehicle, it is important to inspect it carefully for flaws and concealed damages. One of the main things that you will need to look for on a used vehicle is evidence of a front-end collision, which may have damaged the vehicle's mechanical functions. Such damages can often be fixed temporarily and made undetectable to the naked eye but can usually be found by a trained professional. A careful examination of the car's body may provide useful information about collisions and possible interior damage to the vehicle.

Instructions

Signs of a Paint Job

1

Search for inconsistencies in the paint color and quality. Check for signs of peeling paint. Run your hand over the paint to check for consistency. Examine each panel of the car from at least several vantage points.

2

Search for areas where paint looks dull or feels warped rather than smooth. If one panel does not match the others, this likely means that the vehicle has been in a collision involving that panel. Be particularly attentive to the front end of the vehicle as well as the area around the rear bumper that may have impacted the exhaust pipe.

3

Check the areas where different panels meet to see if the top coat of paint is peeling around the edges.

4

Examine less conspicuous areas that may not have been painted. In addition, check unpainted areas for traces of repaint spray. Areas to inspect include door jams, handles and other parts of the vehicle not normally viewed during a quick, visual inspection.

Rust and Corrosion

5

Look for rust on the edges of the car panels. Also, look for holes and rough patches. Tap on each panel to test for differences in the body material.

6

Use a magnet that is strong enough to stick to the exterior of the vehicle and check for patches of differing non-metal materials. On a car that is built of metal that attracts a magnet, areas where the magnet does not stick may indicate signs of rust or collision repair.

7

Examine closely the areas of the car that are not as visible to the naked eye and check those areas for small rust spots.

8

Get down on the ground and look under the vehicle. Inspect the frame and undercarriage. Check for weak spots and rust. Do not purchase a vehicle if the frame is rusty.

Lines and Gaps

9

Search for spaces between the panels of the car indicating shifted or uneven panels. Consider the shift of individual panels to determine whether the vehicle was in a collision and where it was hit.

10

Walk around the vehicle and examine the reflective paint. Look at the reflections in the vehicle to determine whether the lines mirror the nearby images accurately. A vehicle without prior damage should have straight lines; on a repaired vehicle, imperfections in the body can often be detected by examining the reflection.

11

Stand in front of the vehicle and visually ascertain whether it is level. Then, walk around to the rear of the vehicle. Apply weight to one side of the vehicle and quickly release to check the suspension. Repeat this action on the other side of the car. You should be concerned if the vehicle bounces repeatedly or inconsistently or if parts of the frame sit or move in a manner that is visibly different from the rest of the vehicle.