[NotQuickEnough]

When looking at used cars what do you all use to measure for body repairs? Will a cheap $30 gauge be good enough to tell if a panel has been previously repaired?

[evdok]

I have a keen eye for this sort of thing, never needed a tool, but if you don't know then i would invest in one.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by NotQuickEnough

When looking at used cars what do you all use to measure for body repairs?

A magnet. It doesn't stick to bondo the way it does to sheet metal.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

A magnet. It doesn't stick to bondo the way it does to sheet metal.

That's kickin it ol' school, but still works like a charm.

OP can also look for signs of overspray or look for unequal gaps around doors, hood and trunk. Compare driver's to passenger side - differences will jump out like a sore thumb. Also missing clips or screws can be an indicator of previous repairs.

[blackf30n55]

I use a CM8801FN. You can find them on ebay or amazon. You can measure a known good spot like the inside door jamb or under the hood and compare that to the roof, qtr panels, doors etc. i use it to test before paint correction.

[Soul_Glo]

Magnet as well. If there is a lot of bondo on a previous repair the magnetic attraction to the sheet metal is decreased to non existent in those areas. If you suspect a previous repair from say a panel not in alignment then try a magnetic guess!