Auto experts gave tips on detecting a broken car

Serious body damage that is not reflected in the documents remains one of the most common hidden risks when buying a used car. Even if the history of the car looks flawless, this does not guarantee that it has not been involved in an accident. This was reported to Izvestia on March 9 by experts of the SberAuto service.

According to them, vehicle history reports usually record only officially registered accidents. If the owner restored the car at his own expense and did not contact the insurance company, information about the accident may not be included in any registry.

One of the most obvious signs of a hidden repair is the uneven gaps between the body elements. The fenders, doors, hood and trunk should be positioned symmetrically and have the same distances between the parts. If the gaps are noticeably different in width, this may indicate a replacement part or body deformation.

Traces of repainting should also be alerted. Differences in paint shades on neighboring elements, sudden color transitions, or areas of paintwork with uneven texture may indicate local repairs. It is especially suspicious if one element of the body looks fresh, and the rest of the parts are noticeably worn out.

Experts also pay attention to the condition of the welds. Uneven joints in the area of arches, spars or the hood space may indicate the restoration of the geometry of the body after a serious impact.

In addition, problems with the geometry of the car may indicate the possible consequences of an accident. For example, if the car swings to the side while driving, the doors or trunk close with effort, and the steering wheel is uneven.

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There are also less obvious signs of hidden repairs.

"If you approach the body at an angle and look at the reflection of the lines of the building, the lights or the horizon, you can see waves, distortions or "ripples." This often indicates a layer of putty and the consequences of body repairs: even if the painting was done carefully, the factory geometry remains broken," the experts said.

Glasses with different markings can be an additional signal. On a factory-assembled car, the glasses usually have the same manufacturer and similar release dates. If one of them differs significantly in production time or brand, this may indicate a replacement after an accident.

Experts also recommend carefully examining the inner surfaces of the body — the edges of the doors, trunk and hood. Irregularities, traces of paint, dust in the varnish or painted seals may indicate partial repainting.

At the same time, professional diagnostics remains the most reliable way to check. Inspection of the car on the lift, measuring the thickness of the paintwork and checking the geometry of the body can reveal hidden damage.

Experts point out that even a short inspection by an experienced specialist can be more effective than self-checking the car's VIN history or using a thickness gauge without sufficient experience. If you buy a car in another region, you can use remote expertise — experts conduct an inspection, take photos and videos, and prepare a detailed report on the condition of the car.

On February 19, auto expert Alexander Kornev warned about the risks of washing a car in the cold. He explained to Izvestia that the paintwork suffers from a sudden transition from frost to a warm room, especially if heated water is used.

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