Does A-pillar metalwork and repainting count as an accident vehicle?
2 Answers
A-pillar metalwork and repainting does not count as an accident vehicle. The following are methods to identify an accident vehicle: 1. Ask the inspection center: Mainstream vehicle models will have records in the manufacturer's database for maintenance and repairs done in any city. These records can be queried by authorized 4S shops. Before purchasing a used car, it is essential to visit a 4S shop to check the vehicle's maintenance and repair records. As long as you provide the current license plate number and the owner's name, the 4S shop will be happy to provide this information. However, this method is not entirely foolproof. First, most vehicles only come with a 2-year/60,000 km warranty. Once the car is serviced or repaired at a non-4S shop, the records become harder to trace. 2. Check insurance: Insurance companies in China, big and small, have implemented information sharing. Previous accidents will remain on record even if the insurance provider is changed. Moreover, no matter how many times the ownership changes, as long as the vehicle identification number remains the same, the accident records will persist. Many buyers of used cars often overlook the step of "re-registering with the insurance company." Unbeknownst to them, not only does this mean the insurance won’t take effect after the ownership transfer, but it also causes the buyer to miss a great opportunity to check the vehicle's accident history. 3. Inspect the interior: Compared to the exterior, the interior can better reflect the age of a car. For example, the steering wheel will show signs of wear from daily use and friction with the hands; if the surface of the central armrest or gear shift starts peeling, it indicates wear far beyond what 30,000–50,000 km would cause. Most telling are the knobs and buttons inside the car, which become smooth and shiny from prolonged use. Additionally, testing all the interior features can help determine if the car is a "refurbished vehicle." For instance, repeatedly opening and closing the sunroof—if it doesn’t operate smoothly—suggests the car might have been in a rollover accident, as such incidents often damage the sunroof tracks. 4. Examine the exterior by focusing on subtle details. For example, even if the car looks new overall, noticeable color differences in the paint on the inner door handles or other corners may indicate the car’s true age is being concealed. Another example: open the hood and carefully inspect the screws securing the engine. If their tops show signs of wear, it’s possible the engine was removed for repairs.
I think the situation of A-pillar sheet metal repainting usually qualifies as accident damage, because in a car's structure, the A-pillar is a critical load-bearing component supporting the roof and door frame. Sheet metal repair means it has experienced collision deformation, and the repaired strength may not match the original factory condition, directly affecting driving safety. I remember once when helping a friend repair a car, we thoroughly inspected the A-pillar repair points and found that even if the surface paint job was perfect, improper welding or excessive grinding of the internal metal could greatly reduce protection during a side collision, easily leading to a high risk of cabin intrusion. From a used car evaluation perspective, such repairs are marked as accident traces in inspection reports, potentially depreciating the value by 20-30%. Both buyers and sellers should be cautious. My suggestion is to promptly seek a professional organization for non-destructive testing in such cases to confirm structural integrity before deciding on use or transaction.
