European figures
The basic way to understand the paint condition of a used vehicle is through a paint inspection, which measures the paint thickness on the metal surface in microns. The values on the vehicle’s panels are expected to be close to one another; major differences indicate the possibility of previous work. General original paint thicknesses are 80-120 microns for European and Japanese models, 100-150 microns in the luxury segment, and 60-100 microns in the economy segment.
Critical thresholds
150-250 microns may indicate localized paintwork or touch-up, 250-400 microns that the part has been completely painted, 400-600 microns the use of filler, and 600+ microns multiple layers of paint or filler and a history of serious damage. The inspection should not be limited to the bodywork; the door seals, under the hood, and the trunk should also be examined. The safest method is to seek expert assistance.