How to Check if a New Car Has Been Repaired?

[Shannon]

To check if a new car has been repaired, you need to visit a 4S dealership and access their maintenance system to retrieve the vehicle's repair records. The maintenance records of a car are primarily documented by 4S dealerships. From the moment a 4S dealership delivers the new car to the customer, all subsequent service items and details are recorded and archived. Information such as when the car was serviced, when repairs were performed, what issues were encountered, the causes of those issues, and how they were resolved can all be obtained from the car's after-sales department. A new car requires maintenance every 6 months or 5,000 kilometers. Even if the car hasn't reached 5,000 kilometers within 6 months, maintenance is still necessary. Car maintenance is essential for ensuring the vehicle's performance and technical condition, improving efficiency, reducing wear and tear on parts, and ensuring the safety of passengers while driving.

[EvaLee]

Last time my friend bought a new car, I brought a high-power flashlight to inspect it. Mainly checking for color differences in the paint, the smoothness of door edge trim adhesive, whether there are signs of tampering with screws in the engine compartment, and if the production dates on the glass match the date on the vehicle identification plate. I usually run my hands over the painted surfaces of various parts - repaired areas tend to feel rougher. It's also important to peel back the door frame rubber seals to check for any residual paint inside. Oh, and remember to ask the salesperson for the original PDI inspection report - any repair records would be noted there. It's best to conduct the final inspection under sunlight during delivery, as strong lighting helps reveal subtle repair marks. After taking delivery, you can have a third-party inspection agency perform a full vehicle scan - their professional equipment can detect all post-production repair records.

[DiLilliana]

There are three key points to focus on during vehicle inspection. First, check if the gaps between metal body panels are even, paying special attention to the seams between the hood and fenders, and the clearance between doors and roof. Second, examine the condition of screws – whether those on the engine bay's radiator frame and frame rail mounting points show signs of removal or installation. I often use a magnetic screwdriver to test for factory markings. For the interior, inspect the pattern consistency between steering wheel and seat leather – repaired vehicles often show mismatched creases due to part removal. Also compare the markings on glass – numbers indicate the year while dots represent months. It's advisable to request the dealer to provide full logistics tracking information, as vehicles with temporary repairs might have suffered scratches during transport. Now that insurance company systems are interconnected, the most reliable method is to note down the VIN and check claim records at their service counters.

[DelBrielle]

Now checking a new car's maintenance history is very convenient. Just take a photo of the VIN code under the windshield, use the Car Doctor app to pay for the record check, and get a report for 20 yuan showing all 4S dealership maintenance. When picking up the car, it's recommended to bring a paint thickness gauge. Factory paint ranges between 120-180 microns, while repainted areas exceed 200. Pay special attention to door hinges and trunk latch mechanisms - wrench marks from repairs are particularly obvious. Also check tire wear patterns; new tires have sharp tread edges with distinct burrs. I usually also inspect production codes in window corners - replaced ones will have new labels covering them. If necessary, call the brand's 400 hotline to provide the VIN and check manufacturer server records for delivery history - this is most authoritative but requires finding a reason for the dealership to cooperate. Finally, remember to check the screws on the underbody protection panels - any that have been turned definitely indicate issues.