Does this look like accident damage?

[El Capitano]

Parents are looking at buying a mini to keep in spain. They went and viewed this one today, that they both liked. Im in the UK so can't see it up close.

I don't like the alloys, but if it can be supplied with original ones, or get money knocked off then thats not really a huge issue.

But, looking at these few photos on the dealers website, it looks as though the panel gaps on the bonnet are out.... what do you think?

to me it looks as though the bonnet shut gap is too wide, and the wheel arch doesn't look right.



looks like the bonnet touches the left side of the bumper but has a larger gap on the right side?



one more, you can just make out the front bumper gap here



They will go and look at it again now I have pointed this out I think. Also - It seems like the prices are far more in spain than the UK!

Edited by El Capitano on Monday 12th March 20:36

[All that jazz]

Yes that's defo had a bump/crash. The f/n/s arch is well out of line and you could fit a small army into the gap between the bumper and bonnet at the f/n/s corner.

[E38Ross]

certainly doesn't look right to me

[valiant]

Panel gap on the bonnet on the side profile pic looks a little big and the bumper is deffo lopsided.

Go on classified and compare panel gaps to see if it's normal.

[Craphouserat]

Looks like you gave them good advice. Doesn't look right to me - agree with everything you said. Is it juts me or does it seem like a mini Mini ?? Looks slightly shorter than UK models....or maybe its the wine I'm drinking !

[kentmotorcompany]

Just needs the bonnet pushing down properly on one side.

Mini's (and many other cars) have catches on both sides, if it is lowered down gently its very easy to for only one side to catch and looks a little lop sided.

[The Moose]

Just bear in mind that the bonnet may not be properly shut...

Also, the clamshell bonets deform there quite easily so not necessarily the sign of a big impact - further investigation required!

[El Capitano]

cheers, will pass that info on then. Might just be the catch but they can check that out if they look again

[jleesb]

Hi there

Without any doubt at all that Mini's bonnet is just not closed properly. It just needs opening and closing again.

All the earlier ones used to do it.

I have had dozens of them and all the early ones were the same. It just needs that side of the bonnet pushing down.

[El Capitano]

excellent, hopefully thats all it is then.

cheers