CAADE Damage Analysis and Inspection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An appraiser notices that a vehicle's airbag warning light is illuminated. In the context of damage inspection, this most commonly suggests:
- A low battery condition
- A prior deployment or triggered SRS event that was not properly repaired (Correct answer)
- Routine sensor calibration needed
- An aftermarket stereo installation
Correct answer: A prior deployment or triggered SRS event that was not properly repaired
An illuminated SRS warning light after a collision typically indicates that the airbag system was triggered or damaged and has not been properly reset or repaired.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'induced damage' in a collision repair context?
- Damage directly caused by the point of impact
- Secondary damage caused by force transmitted through the vehicle's structure away from the impact point (Correct answer)
- Damage caused by improper repair techniques
- Pre-existing corrosion damage
Correct answer: Secondary damage caused by force transmitted through the vehicle's structure away from the impact point
Induced damage is secondary damage that occurs away from the direct impact zone as collision forces travel through the vehicle's structure.
Question 3: A paint film thickness gauge reads significantly higher on a door panel compared to adjacent panels. The threshold typically indicating a repaint or filler repair is above:
- 3–4 mils
- 6–8 mils (Correct answer)
- 10–12 mils
- 15–20 mils
Correct answer: 6–8 mils
Factory paint is typically 3–6 mils; readings of 6–8 mils or higher on a single panel suggest a repaint or the presence of body filler beneath.
Question 4: When inspecting the engine compartment for evidence of prior repair, finding mismatched overspray on hoses, wires, and brackets most directly indicates:
- Routine detailing
- In-vehicle panel refinishing after collision repair (Correct answer)
- Factory corrosion protection
- Engine steam cleaning
Correct answer: In-vehicle panel refinishing after collision repair
Overspray on engine bay components like hoses and brackets is a telltale sign that adjacent panels were refinished while the engine was in place.
Question 5: During a damage inspection, a crease or sharp fold in a body panel is distinguished from a dent because it:
- Involves only the outer skin with no structural impact
- Represents a stress riser where metal work-hardening has occurred, making repair more difficult (Correct answer)
- Can always be repaired with PDR techniques
- Is caused exclusively by hail impact
Correct answer: Represents a stress riser where metal work-hardening has occurred, making repair more difficult
A crease involves significant metal work-hardening at the fold line, creating a stress riser that requires more extensive metalworking to repair than a simple dent.
Question 6: An appraiser inspecting a vehicle post-flood finds water staining at the seat belt retractor height on the B-pillar. This waterline position indicates the flood water reached:
- Floor pan level only
- Approximately door sill height
- Approximately seat level or higher (Correct answer)
- Dashboard level
Correct answer: Approximately seat level or higher
Water staining at the seat belt retractor on the B-pillar indicates water reached approximately seat level, suggesting significant interior submersion.
Question 7: Which of the following is a primary indicator of airbag deployment that an appraiser should look for on the steering wheel?
- Cracks in the horn button cover
- Tears or seams in the hub cover where the bag deployed (Correct answer)
- Discoloration of the leather grip
- Bent steering column
Correct answer: Tears or seams in the hub cover where the bag deployed
After airbag deployment, the steering wheel hub cover shows tear lines or residual seam marks where the bag burst through, even after a replacement bag is installed.
CAADE Damage Analysis and Inspection 4
An appraiser notices that a vehicle's airbag warning light is illuminated.
In the context of damage inspection, this most commonly suggests: