How Can I Tell If My Car Has Had Body Work?

Many consumers find it difficult to know whom to trust when buying a used car. Unscrupulous car salespeople or private parties may try to sell a car with body damage or a history of flooding while passing the car off as having a clean history. When purchasing such a used car, the most important tool to utilize is common sense. If something doesn't look or sound right with the car, it may have had body work in the past.

Get a CarFax Report

Every car built after 1981 should have a standardized VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). When a report is run against this number, the entire history of the car is displayed--year and place built, all previous owners, and most importantly a record of any accidents or floods that the car was in. If the CarFax report shows a history of flood or accident damage but the car seems in good condition, it has probably had some sort of body work done.

Check for Warning Signs

Examine the car carefully to look for inconsistencies in paint color or finish, paint join or overspray lines between body panels or on the interiors of doors, rust or warping on the car's underside or frame, or inconsistent spacing between body panels or where the doors, hood or trunk latch. All of these are signs that body work may have been done to the car.

Inspect the Label

Every car has a manufacturer's label giving information as to make, model, year built and other identifying information. Check this label for any signs of tampering or alteration, as disreputable car dealers may try to alter the label to make the car seem newer than it is.