{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1575419,
        "msgid": "gap-between-car-panels-can-reveal-used-vehicle-history-1772190271",
        "date": "2026-02-27 16:41:00",
        "title": "Gap Between Car Panels Can Reveal Used Vehicle History",
        "author": "Azwar Ferdian",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Consumer Protection",
        "summary": "When purchasing used cars, inconsistent gaps between body panels can indicate previous collision repairs, though not all panel gaps necessarily denote severe damage. An automotive expert explains that light collisions typically show minor repainting and putty work within the outer panels, whilst more serious accidents display thicker repairs, structural reinforcement damage, and airbag deployment history that requires professional diagnostic scanning.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA \u2013 When purchasing used vehicles, many people attempt to\nassess a car\u2019s condition from its external appearance. One aspect\nfrequently examined is the gap between body panels.<\/p>\n<p>Asymmetrical gaps are often suspected as a sign that the vehicle has\npreviously been in a collision. The question then arises: can panel gap\ndifferences genuinely serve as an indicator of accident history?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt can, but based on our experience, panel gap differences are\nusually caused by only minor impacts,\u201d said Hakim to Kompas.com\nrecently.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we frequently find is that the gap between the right fender\npanel and right front bumper differs from the left side. This typically\noccurs because there was previously repair work in that area due to an\nimpact, and when reinstalled, the result was not properly aligned,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n<p>According to Hakim, it is important for prospective buyers to\nunderstand that not all previous collisions result in the same level of\ndamage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn conclusion, based on my experience and my team\u2019s observations,\ncollision types can be divided into three categories,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst, light collision. Its characteristics include repainting and\nputty work within reasonable limits, typically limited to the outer\npanel and still within the panel sealer area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In this condition, damage generally only affects the outer body\nparts. The vehicle\u2019s main structural frame usually remains intact.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSecond, moderate collision. This is marked by thicker repainting and\nputty work, extending beyond the sealer and even into interior panel\nsections,\u201d Hakim noted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThird, severe collision or major accident. Its characteristics\ninclude bent reinforcement, history of bullhead replacement, and\nprevious airbag deployment,\u201d Hakim said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo assess severe collision damage, thorough examination and a\ndiagnostic scanner are required to read SRS module data (airbag system)\nto determine whether there has been any history of deployment,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n<p>Uneven panel gaps should serve as a warning signal to conduct further\ninspection rather than immediately concluding the vehicle is severely\ndamaged.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause if assessments are carried out carelessly, parties could be\nwronged,\u201d Hakim cautioned.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gap-between-car-panels-can-reveal-used-vehicle-history-1772190271",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}