How to Tell If a Car Has Been Repainted

How to Tell If a Car Has Been Repainted – Buyer’s Guide for Australians

When buying a used car, it’s easy to focus on the big things: the price, the mileage, the brand, and the general condition. However, one detail that often goes unnoticed is the quality and originality of the paintwork. Being able to tell if a car has been repainted is an important skill for Australian buyers, helping to avoid purchasing a vehicle with hidden damage, poor repairs, or a lower long-term value.

Original factory paint does more than just make a car look good. It protects the body from corrosion, maintains the structural integrity of panels, and can even be a sign of a vehicle’s history. Repainting, while sometimes done for cosmetic reasons, can often indicate past accident damage or rust issues. In many cases, especially where repairs have been rushed or completed cheaply, repainting can cover up serious problems that may only become apparent months or years later.

In Australia, a history of accident damage can significantly impact a vehicle’s value and insurance premiums. That’s why knowing how to spot signs of repainting before you commit to a purchase is a smart move. This guide will walk you through simple, practical methods that any buyer can use to identify repainting, giving you confidence to negotiate better deals and avoid costly mistakes.

Understanding the Importance of Identifying Repainted Vehicles

For many Australians, buying a car is one of the largest purchases outside of a home. Protecting that investment starts with understanding exactly what you are buying. Identifying whether a car has been repainted can provide key insights into the vehicle’s history and potential future reliability.

Repainting is often a sign that the car has undergone repairs following a collision. While some repairs are performed to a very high standard, others may be rushed or poorly completed. A low-quality repaint may be hiding body filler, frame damage, rust issues, or previous structural weaknesses. Knowing what to look for ensures you are not left paying a premium price for a car that could develop costly problems.

In Australia, vehicles involved in significant accidents are often listed as repairable write-offs. Even when repairs are legally completed and certified, some sellers may fail to fully disclose the extent of the work. Visual inspections for signs of repainting are an essential way for buyers to cross-check what they are being told.

Another key reason to spot repainting is resale value. Vehicles with a full, original factory paint job generally command higher prices. Even when a repaint is high-quality, it can still make a difference when the time comes to sell. Knowing the full history allows you to make informed, confident decisions both now and in the future.

Visual Inspection Techniques

A careful visual inspection is often the easiest way to spot whether a car has been repainted. You do not need to be an expert or use expensive tools — just a keen eye, good lighting, and a methodical approach.

Start by examining the car’s paintwork under natural daylight. Artificial lights, especially inside showrooms or garages, can hide imperfections. Walk around the vehicle slowly and look at it from different angles. Factory paint should appear consistent across every panel, both in colour and texture. If you notice slight variations in shade or a difference in the way the light reflects off different panels, it may indicate that one or more areas have been repainted.

Check closely around areas where panels meet, such as doors, the bonnet, and the boot. Look for signs of overspray — tiny specks of paint on rubber seals, window trims, or inside wheel arches. Overspray is a common giveaway that masking was used during a repaint.

Pay attention to the surface quality. Original paintwork should feel smooth and even. If you run your hand across a panel and feel roughness, ripples, or slight sanding marks, it could point to body repairs beneath the surface. Small paint drips, bubbles, or runs are further signs of a respray, particularly if the work was not done to professional standards.

Taking your time during this visual check can reveal important clues that save you money and stress later.

Using Tools and Technology to Detect Repainting

While a visual inspection can uncover many signs of repainting, using simple tools can provide even greater certainty, especially when minor repairs are harder to spot. Fortunately, you do not need expensive equipment to check a car thoroughly.

One of the most effective tools is a paint thickness gauge. This small handheld device measures the depth of the paint coating. Factory paintwork typically measures between 100 to 200 microns. If readings across different panels show significant variation — for example, 300 microns on one door and 120 microns on the adjacent panel — it strongly suggests that one area has been repainted or repaired. Consistent readings across all panels indicate the paint is likely original.

Another helpful technique is inspecting the car under different lighting angles. Natural sunlight is ideal for exposing surface imperfections, but if you are inspecting indoors, a bright LED torch can help highlight uneven textures, paint lines, or sanding marks hidden under glossy finishes.

If uncertainty remains after using these basic tools, engaging a professional pre-purchase inspector is a wise option. Many Australian services now include paint thickness measurements and accident history assessments as part of their standard inspections. Spending a few hundred dollars upfront can protect you from thousands in potential future repairs and ensure you buy with confidence.

Additional Signs That Suggest a Car Has Been Repainted

Beyond obvious paint mismatches and overspray, there are more subtle signs that a car may have undergone repainting. Observing these details can reveal much about the vehicle’s true history.

Start by checking the gaps between panels. On a factory-assembled car, the spacing between doors, guards, and the bonnet should be even and consistent. If you notice gaps that are wider on one side or panels that sit slightly higher or lower than adjacent parts, it can be a sign that repairs and respraying have taken place following accident damage.

Another giveaway is the presence of paint bubbles, cracks, or lifting. These issues often arise when a respray has been performed over poorly prepared surfaces. Bubbles, in particular, may suggest that rust was painted over rather than properly treated — a hidden problem that could lead to expensive repairs later.

Rust spots underneath the paint are also concerning. Inspect common trouble areas such as door sills, wheel arches, and the lower edges of doors. Bubbling paint in these areas often means corrosion is developing under the surface.

Finally, inspect the bolts and hinges inside the bonnet and doors. If you see paint on them or signs that they have been removed and refitted, it’s another strong indicator that panel work and repainting have occurred.

Taking the time to spot these less obvious signs can prevent unpleasant surprises after the sale.

What to Do If You Suspect a Car Has Been Repainted

Discovering that a car has been repainted does not automatically mean you should walk away from the purchase. However, it does mean you should proceed carefully and gather as much information as possible before making a decision.

Start by asking the seller direct and polite questions. Find out why the repainting was done. Minor cosmetic touch-ups, such as fixing stone chips or clear coat fading, are common in older vehicles and usually not a cause for concern. However, if the repainting was done following an accident, you will want to know the extent of the damage and who carried out the repairs.

Request any supporting documents the seller may have, such as repair invoices or insurance assessments. Professional repairs completed at a reputable crash repairer, with detailed records, are much more reassuring than vague explanations or missing paperwork.

Use the discovery of repainting to your advantage in price negotiations. Repainted vehicles typically command lower resale values, particularly if the work was not completed to a high standard. Even if the car is otherwise sound, a repaint gives you room to negotiate a better deal.

Finally, if you have any doubts about the quality of the repairs, consider a professional inspection. Independent vehicle assessors can identify hidden issues and provide an unbiased opinion, helping you buy with greater confidence and peace of mind.

When buying a used car, having the ability to spot signs of repainting gives you a major advantage. It helps uncover hidden histories, prevents nasty surprises after the sale, and ensures you are paying a fair price based on the true condition of the vehicle. While some repainting is harmless, particularly when done for cosmetic reasons by a reputable repairer, other cases may mask more serious issues like accident damage or rust.

A thorough visual inspection combined with basic tools, such as a paint thickness gauge, can reveal a lot about a vehicle’s past. Checking for paint inconsistencies, overspray, panel alignment, and subtle surface defects equips you to make smarter purchasing decisions. When in doubt, seeking professional advice is a small investment that can save you considerable money and stress.

In Australia’s competitive used car market, buyers who take the time to properly inspect and question what they are buying place themselves in a much stronger position. Whether you are buying privately or through a dealership, knowledge is your best protection.

At Dynamic Paint N Panel, we understand the importance of quality paintwork and professional repairs. If you ever need expert advice or trusted repairs, our experienced team is here to help. Protect your investment and buy with confidence by knowing exactly what to look for — starting with the paint.