A clean history report doesn’t mean the car was never in an accident. We check the body and frame for hidden repairs before you buy.
Not every accident makes it onto a report.
Many repairs are paid in cash and never reported. A car can have a repainted panel, a replaced fender, or a repaired frame rail and still show a clean history. Some repairs are fine. Poor structural repairs can affect safety, insurance, and resale value. We look for the signs so you know what you’re buying.
Tip: We also look for rust and underbody damage, which matters on cars that lived near the coast or came from northern states.
How We Check It
1. Walk around the car
Panel gaps, paint color and texture, and parts that don’t match the rest of the car.
2. Check the paint
Signs of repainting: color mismatch, rough texture, overspray on trim and rubber, and sanding marks.
3. Look underneath and inside
Frame rails, crossmembers, the trunk floor, door jambs, and the area under the hood for kinks, welds, and replaced parts.
4. Check the glass and lights
Glass and headlights that don’t match can point to a past repair.
What We Check on the Body and Frame
Every inspection includes a full walk-around and a look underneath for signs of past damage and repairs.
- Panel gaps and alignment
- Paint color and texture match
- Overspray on trim, rubber, and glass
- Wrench marks on fender, hood, and door bolts
- Frame rails and crossmembers
- Radiator support
- Trunk floor and spare tire well
- Door jambs and pillars
- Rust on the body and underbody
- Underbody scrapes and impact damage
- Glass and headlight mismatches
- Airbag warning light
Warning signs you can spot yourself
- Gaps between panels that are wider on one side
- One panel a slightly different color in sunlight
- Paint overspray on rubber seals or trim
- Doors, hood, or trunk that don’t close evenly
- New headlight on one side only
Red flags that mean slow down
- Welds or kinks on the frame rails
- Wrinkled metal in the trunk floor
- Airbag warning light on
- Rust holes in the underbody
- “Minor fender bender” but several panels are repainted
Inspection Pricing
This check is part of every PPI Mechanic inspection. Pricing is flat: $199 for cars, SUVs, and trucks, $279 for luxury and sports cars, and $399 for exotic and collector cars. We confirm the price before you book. See pricing.
Why Tampa Buyers Choose PPI Mechanic
A mechanic comes to the car, checks it before you pay, and tells you what they found in plain language.
- Based in Tampa, serving Tampa Bay
- We come to the car: dealership, private seller, or auction lot
- We don’t sell cars, so our opinion is independent
- Flat prices: $199, $279, or $399
- Findings you can use to negotiate or walk away
- Book online in a couple of minutes
Body & Frame Damage FAQ
Can you tell if a car has been in an accident?
We find most signs of past body and frame repairs, like repainted panels, replaced parts, and frame damage. No visual inspection can promise to find every past repair, but it shows far more than photos or a report.
Is a repaired car always a bad buy?
No. A good repair on a bumper or fender may not matter much. Structural damage and poor repairs matter more. We tell you what we find so you can decide.
Does a clean history report mean no accidents?
No. Reports only include what was reported to insurers, police, or other sources. Cash repairs often never appear.
Do you check for rust?
Yes. We check the body and underbody for surface rust and rust-through, especially around the frame, suspension mounts, and rocker panels.
Where do you inspect the car?
Wherever the car is in Tampa Bay: at the dealership, the seller’s home, or an auction lot. The seller needs to agree to the inspection.
How much does an inspection cost?
$199 for cars, SUVs, and trucks, $279 for luxury and sports cars, and $399 for exotic and collector cars. We confirm the price before you book.
Find the repairs the report missed.
Book online in a couple of minutes. Tell us the year, make, and model and where the car is, and we confirm the inspection with you.
Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, and the rest of Tampa Bay. See all service areas.