AI DamageBolt-on parts (bumper, wing, bonnet, doors) are replaced by undoing bolts. The structure (chassis rails, inner wings, pillars, sills, floor) is repaired on a jig and by welding. This is where the cost and risk of an impact are decided.
Signs in the photos
- Uneven gaps between the bonnet and wings, or the wing and door. Especially when a gap changes from one end to the other.
- Doors do not close, or are open in every photo.
- The wheel is set back relative to the arch: the impact reached the subframe or chassis rail.
- Ripples in the roof or near the A-pillar: the deformation travelled far from the point of impact.
- Creases in the inner wing or in the chassis rail under the headlight.
- The airbags deployed: the deceleration was significant.
Mirror comparison
The most useful technique with photos is to compare the left and right sides. The body is symmetrical, so a difference in gaps, wheel position or headlight height between the sides points to displacement. This is exactly how we compare zones in VinWind reports.
How a workshop measures it
Geometry is checked against the reference points in the manufacturer's body repair manual, on a jig or with a measuring system. A deviation of a few millimetres already affects panel gaps and how the suspension works. Without measurement, a structural repair is a lottery.
How this changes the decision
If the signs point to the structure, budget for measurement, pulling and possibly replacing a section of the chassis rail. For a lot this is often the difference between "buy" and "inspect". For how the impact zone relates to the components behind the panel, see Risks behind the outer panel; the side structure is covered in Side impact.