Welds, alignment, panel gaps and safety systems: what to notice at a viewing and what a specialist needs to measure.
At a viewing, clues can justify a body inspection. Photographs, paint thickness or a fault-free scanner cannot certify structural integrity. The five signs below are reasons to investigate rather than diagnoses.
Identity History evidence Where to find the VINStart with the vehicle number
Start with available technical details for free. The OBDAuto decoder does not provide accident, mileage, theft or service history.
Free checks and what a paid report may addHow to read a history reportRead the evidence, not just a verdict
Public carVertical demonstration screenshots, not reports purchased or cases investigated by OBDAuto. An example does not guarantee the same data for your car and does not replace an inspection.
carVertical · demonstration exampleRead the event type, date and estimate range. An assessment is not a paid invoice, and amounts should not automatically be added together.
Screenshot source: carVertical ↗ carVertical · demonstration exampleCompare the specifications with the documents and the actual car. This screenshot shows technical details, not a mileage timeline.
Screenshot source: carVertical ↗ Buying guide Editorial review: 22 October 2026Resolve any difference between vehicle markings, documents and the report before paying a deposit. An empty report does not confirm that the car has never been damaged.
Request a clear photo of the VIN on the car and the relevant documents, then arrange dates and mileage readings in order. Keep a budget for an independent inspection.
When structure or safety systems are in doubt, obtain a specialist inspection before payment and before a road test.
Your first check at the car
Illustrative windscreen photos from different vehicles. The exact position depends on make, model and market; these images are not model-specific instructions for every car in the guide.
Look from outside at the base of the windscreenWesha · Public domain · Resized and compressed as WebP; cropped for display.
GM example: the plate seen through the windscreenHans Haase · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and compressed as WebP; cropped for display.
Some models show the VIN through the windscreen. A door-frame label or a stamped marking may be elsewhere; check the manufacturer’s manual for your model.
Compare the marking with the vehicle documents and report. Do not confuse an engine code or a part number with the VIN.
Do not scrape or alter markings. If a number is missing, hard to read or does not match, ask a specialist to verify the vehicle’s identity.
Request a lift inspection, named inspection areas, photographs of findings and measurements where needed. Body geometry must be compared with manufacturer data for the model, rather than a universal online threshold.
Do not go beneath a car supported only by a jack or dismantle airbags or pretensioners. If the specialist considers it unsafe, arrange transport without driving it.
Request pre-repair photos, assessment, parts/work invoices and subsequent inspection records. Compare dates and VIN. A commercial report can direct attention to an area but cannot establish repair quality alone.
Economic loss or structural damage? →Pause when inspection is refused, records do not match or safety questions remain unanswered. Record concrete findings. Avoid accusations based on a clue, and do not accept a discount in place of resolving a safety concern.
Tick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.
0 / 6 checks completed
I checked panel gaps and closures. I requested accessible structural-area checks. I documented paint differences. I checked tyres, suspension and alignment. I requested belt and SRS checks. I received findings and limitations in writing.Not automatically. Ask why it was repaired and inspect the relevant areas.
Does a clean history report override inspection findings?No. Missing records do not refute a physical finding; ask for it to be documented and checked.
Does correct wheel alignment certify the structure?Not by itself. It differs from measuring the body and examining repairs.
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Discuss a partnership with OBDAuto.roBuying and paperwork
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