Buying a used car can save you a lot of money — but only if you pick the right one. Many cars look perfect on the outside, with shiny paint and polished exteriors. But behind the gloss, some vehicles may have been in accidents and repaired without proper disclosure.
If you want to avoid costly surprises later, you must learn how to inspect a used car like a pro. One of the smartest ways to detect hidden accident repairs is by checking the car from the driver's side.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to spot accident damage by examining three key zones — door sealant, welding joints, and paint shade. These simple checks can help you identify whether a car has undergone major repairs before you buy it.
1. Inspect the Door Sealant: Look for Uneven Application
Every car has a factory-applied sealant on the inner edges of the doors and pillars. This sealant protects the cabin from dust, water, and wind noise.
When a car leaves the factory, these sealant lines are smooth, uniform, and consistent.
However, if the car has suffered an impact on the side and has undergone bodywork, these sealant lines are often manually reapplied or repainted. That’s where you can spot clues.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Sealant lines that look thick, uneven, or hand-applied
- Overlapping or double-layered sealant marks
- Visible brush strokes or wavy patterns
- Sealant that doesn’t match the factory finish or color
If the sealant doesn’t look original, it’s a strong sign of panel replacement or re-welding after a crash.
2. Check the Welding Joints: Factory vs. Repaired
The pillars, door frames, and structural parts of a car are joined using factory welding. These welds are produced by robots, which means they are:
Evenly spaced
Smooth in texture
Consistent across the entire frame
When a car undergoes accidental damage on the side, the repair process may involve cutting and welding back panels. Manual welding rarely matches the perfection of factory work.
Signs of Repair Welding
- Rough, inconsistent welding beads
- Patches or filler material visible over joints
- Unevenly spaced welding dots
- Burn marks or fresh paint over welding areas
If you spot any rough welding on the door frames or pillars, it could mean the car’s structure was compromised and repaired later — a major concern for long-term safety.
3. Look for Paint Shade Differences: A Clear Indicator of Repainting
One of the easiest ways to spot accident repairs is by checking the paint finish around the door area. Cars that have been repainted will often show:
- Slight color mismatch
- Different gloss levels
- Overspray on rubber or plastic parts
- Visible masking tape lines
Check the paint shade on the doors, pillars, rocker panel, and roof area. If any part looks brighter, duller, or a different tone altogether, the car has likely undergone paintwork.
Even minor color differences can signal that a door or pillar has been repainted after a collision.
Why This Check Matters
Side-impact repairs can affect the car’s:
- Structural strength
- Door alignment
- Safety during future accidents
- Resale value
Detecting these signs early helps you avoid cars with hidden issues.
Get a Professional Accident Check with CarVaidya PDI
While these tips help you do a basic inspection, a trained technician can detect deeper issues that are invisible to the untrained eye.
A CarVaidya Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) includes:
- Full accident check
- Door and pillar alignment test
- Paint thickness test
- Underbody inspection
- Electrical and mechanical evaluation
Before you commit to a used car, make sure it passes the professional inspection test.
