Detect Hidden Damage Before Buying a Used Car

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• Inspect door jambs and trunk seams for uneven paint, indicating hidden repairs.
• Check under carpet edges and spare tire wells for water marks indicating flood damage.
• Use a magnet along body panels to find filler, revealing hidden dents or rust.
• Examine headlight and taillight housings for odd fit or markings, showing past impacts.
• Check for uneven panel gaps between hood, doors, and fenders to detect frame issues.
• Look under the vehicle for fresh undercoating or paint that may hide rust or welds.
• Test seatbelt retractors for smooth action and frays to catch crash deployment signs.
• Check windshield and door glass date codes for mismatches—could reveal repairs.
• Look for paint overspray on seals or wheel wells, indicating partial repainting.
• Feel for roughness or bubbling under doors and rocker panels to find hidden rust.
• Check steering alignment; if car pulls to one side, it may reveal frame or suspension damage.
• Review the vehicle history report for gaps in titles to spot hidden major repairs.