AI DamageAn electric car's body is repaired like any other car. The difference is the battery: it is the most expensive component, and it sits in the underbody, where damage is hardest to see. So the risk of a crashed EV is defined not by the dent but by whether the battery, its mounts and the high-voltage wiring were affected.
What threatens the battery
| Event | Why it is dangerous | Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Underbody impact (kerb, debris) | Deformed battery housing, damaged cooling and modules | Scratches or dents on the battery housing, Undercarriage label |
| Side impact into the sill | Force goes into the battery housing between the axles | Crushed sill, displaced B-pillar |
| Heavy frontal impact | Blown high-voltage pyro fuse, damaged inverter, onboard charger, cooling | Deployed airbags, the car does not go to Ready |
| Water | Connector corrosion, insulation leaks, delayed fire risk | Water/Flood label, mud in the cabin. See Flooded car |
| Fire | Thermal damage to modules | Burn label. See Fire |
Why Ready on the dashboard guarantees nothing
An EV can show Ready and even drive while the battery runs in a limited mode and the system stores insulation faults. Likewise, a Run and Drive status at the auction does not mean the battery is intact (see Run and Drive). You need a full module scan with a battery health readout: capacity, voltage spread between modules, insulation resistance and fault codes.
What to check before buying or repairing
- Underbody photos: battery housing, mounting points, protective panels. Without them a sill or underbody impact is an unknown risk.
- Repair documents and a battery diagnostic report (SoH, insulation faults).
- Whether the car was stored separately after the crash: after a heavy impact or water, EVs are kept away from other cars because of fire risk.
- Keys and access to the manufacturer account: without them some features and updates are unavailable.
- Whether the manufacturer sells the battery or modules separately and whether there is a service in your country that repairs modules.
Sensors and calibration
EVs almost always have assistant radars and cameras, often with sensors in the bumpers. After any front or rear impact, budget for calibration (see Radars and ADAS cameras). EV suspension is heavier and loaded by the battery, so a wheel impact bends arms and knuckles more often (see Suspension after an impact).
How to account for it in the price
For a crashed EV it is worth splitting the estimate in two: the body and everything conventional, as for any car, and a separate reserve for the high-voltage system. If the battery has not been checked and the impact could have reached it, keep the module or full battery replacement scenario in mind even when the body work is cheap. Typical problems of specific models are in Model problems.