AI DamagePhotos give more than it seems: impact zones, broken parts, misalignment, deployed airbags. But a picture does not show what is behind a panel. An honest photo-based assessment always has three parts: what is certainly visible, what follows from indirect signs, and what stays unknown until an inspection.
Which shots you need
- All four corners at 45°: they show gaps and geometry of two sides at once.
- Each side in full, at wheel height: the sill line and waves on panels are visible.
- The impact zone close up and from a distance.
- Engine bay with the hood open, trunk with the floor lifted.
- Interior: steering wheel, passenger dashboard, headliner above the doors (curtain airbags), instrument cluster with the engine running.
- Underbody, if possible. For electric cars it is essential (see Electric car after an accident).
Three levels of confidence
| Level | Examples | How to account for it |
|---|---|---|
| Certainly visible | Cracked bumper, broken headlight, crushed fender, deployed airbags | Fully in the estimate |
| Follows from signs | Uneven door gap → shifted pillar or fender; bent hood → damaged radiator support; wheel turned out → arm, knuckle | In the estimate with a probability or as a separate "check" line |
| Not visible | Radar behind the bumper, brackets, sensors, wiring, underbody, powertrain condition | Hidden-damage reserve and a check at inspection |
Typical mistakes
- The angle hides the depth: a straight-on front shot makes a corner impact look flat. Look at the 45° corners.
- A wet body and reflections hide dents, while shadows draw dents on flat panels.
- A missing shot is taken as an undamaged zone. A zone without photos is unchecked: a separate risk line.
- Left and right are mixed up when described from the camera's point of view. The side is always counted from the driver's seat.
- The repair is priced at US rates. In Ukraine, parts and labour are much cheaper, see Parts prices in Ukraine.
When photos are no longer enough
If the conclusion depends on an invisible component (radar, frame rail, EV battery) and it changes the buying decision, you need an in-person inspection. What to check is described in the checklist How to spot accident damage.