TABLE OF CONTENTS Damaged bodywork is corrected by first observing the extent of the damage, then deciding how it was caused and the sequence in which it occurred. The resulting damage can be classified into two groups:
Direct or primary damage This results from the impact on the area in actual contact with the object causing the damage. This will result in the largest area of visible damage and is the cause of all other consequent damage. Primary damage is identified by first determining the direction of the primary impact. This knowledge will help in the search for concealed damage.
Indirect or secondary damage This is usually found in the area surrounding the direct damage which causes it, although in certain cases it may be some distance from the actual point of impact. After the impact, internal damage is caused by the forced movement of objects and passengers towards the point of impact, and can be seen in the form of damaged dash panels, broken seat frames and twisted steering wheels.
These two groups can each be subdivided in two further ways:
Visible damage This is damage that can be readily seen in the area of actual contact, such as a vehicle having suffered frontal impact causing damage to the bumper, grille, bonnet and front wings. A detailed examination may discover distortion of the inner wing valances, which would indicate visible indirect damage.
Concealed damage This is indirect damage, but is not easily detected...
