1. Paint thickness
This is the most reliable check, and it needs a paint thickness gauge. Factory paint is fairly even across the car, typically somewhere around 80 to 160 microns depending on the make. A panel that's been repainted reads noticeably higher, and body filler can read several hundred microns or more.
What matters is the pattern. One door reading 250 µm on a car where every other panel reads about 110 µm has almost certainly been repaired. In our reports, every panel gets its own reading on a paint map.
2. Panel gaps and finish
- Gaps between the bonnet, wings, doors and boot should be even, and match left to right.
- Look along the side of the car in daylight. A repainted panel can be a slightly different shade, or have a different texture (more "orange peel" or a flatter finish).
3. Overspray and masking lines
Painters mask off what they don't want painted. Look for paint on rubber door seals, window trims, badges, plastic parts and the edges of lights. A sharp line of paint on a seal, or a dusty texture near an edge, points to a repaint.
4. Bolts and fixings
Open the bonnet and doors and look at the bolts holding the wings, bonnet hinges and door hinges. Factory bolts are painted over and untouched. Cracked paint on the bolt heads, tool marks or unpainted bolts mean the panel has been removed or replaced. That isn't always because of an accident, but it's always worth asking why.
5. Glass and lights
- Each window has a small stamp with its manufacture date. If one window is newer than the others, it was replaced. Ask why.
- One clear new headlight next to an older, faded one often means a front-end impact.
6. Chassis and structure
This is where serious accidents leave their mark. Look at the chassis rails behind the front bumper, the radiator support, the boot floor and the spare wheel well:
- non-factory welds or rough seam sealer,
- creases, ripples or clamp marks from straightening,
- fresh paint or underseal in just one area.
7. Airbags
The airbag warning light should come on briefly when you switch on the ignition, then go off. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, needs checking. A diagnostic scan can read airbag (SRS) fault codes, and a dashboard, steering wheel cover or seat that doesn't match the rest of the interior can mean airbags were deployed and replaced.
More on this in our page about the diagnostic (OBD) check.
Does a past accident matter?
It depends on what was repaired:
- Cosmetic: a repainted bumper or a scratched door that was resprayed is common and usually minor. It's still a reason to negotiate.
- Structural: repairs to chassis rails, pillars or the floor affect safety and resale value. Think carefully, and price it in, before buying a car like this.
Either way, you should know before you pay, not after. Our pre-purchase inspection measures every panel and checks the structure underneath.
Questions, answered.
Can I check paint thickness without a gauge?
Not reliably. You can spot obvious colour differences and overspray by eye, but filler under a good repaint is invisible without a gauge.
Does a repainted panel always mean an accident?
No. Panels are also repainted for scratches, sun damage or vandalism. The reading tells you the panel was repainted; the other signs tell you how serious the repair was.
Check the car before you pay.
We come to the car, inspect 130+ points and send you a photo report on WhatsApp within 1 hour.