CAADE Vehicle Damage Identification 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vehicle is found to have a bent rear axle following a rear collision. In addition to the axle, which adjacent component must be closely inspected for damage?
- Engine mounts
- Transmission pan
- Rear control arms and mounting points (Correct answer)
- Front subframe
Correct answer: Rear control arms and mounting points
A bent rear axle typically transmits force to the rear control arms and their frame mounting points, which must be inspected for deformation.
Question 2: Which of the following describes 'induced damage' in the context of collision appraisal?
- Damage caused by a prior unreported accident
- Damage that develops over time from corrosion
- Damage in areas away from the primary impact, caused by transferred collision forces (Correct answer)
- Damage intentionally created to defraud an insurer
Correct answer: Damage in areas away from the primary impact, caused by transferred collision forces
Induced damage is structural or component damage found away from the primary impact zone, caused by the transfer of collision energy through the vehicle.
Question 3: When a vehicle sustains a moderate frontal impact, which component most commonly absorbs initial energy before the structural rails?
- Hood latch
- Bumper energy absorber (foam or plastic) (Correct answer)
- Windshield frame
- Engine cradle
Correct answer: Bumper energy absorber (foam or plastic)
The bumper energy absorber, made of foam or plastic, is designed to compress and absorb low-speed impact energy before forces reach the structural rails.
Question 4: Which paint defect appears as a pattern of small craters or holes in the finish and is caused by silicone contamination?
- Solvent popping
- Fisheyes (Correct answer)
- Pinholes
- Crazing
Correct answer: Fisheyes
Fisheyes are circular craters in the paint film caused by silicone or oil contamination on the surface prior to painting.
Question 5: During an appraisal, you find that the vehicle's spare tire well is crumpled upward into the trunk floor. This damage pattern is most consistent with:
- A side impact at the rear quarter panel
- A direct rear-end collision with significant structural intrusion (Correct answer)
- Overloading the trunk with heavy cargo
- A minor parking lot bump
Correct answer: A direct rear-end collision with significant structural intrusion
Upward crumpling of the spare tire well into the trunk floor indicates a severe rear-end collision that has driven the rear structure forward.
Question 6: Which of the following correctly distinguishes a 'stress crack' in a bumper cover from an impact crack?
- Stress cracks are always longer than impact cracks
- Stress cracks typically radiate from a single point of force, while stress cracks follow flex lines or mounting points (Correct answer)
- Impact cracks are found only on the inner surface
- Stress cracks occur only in cold weather conditions
Correct answer: Stress cracks typically radiate from a single point of force, while stress cracks follow flex lines or mounting points
Impact cracks radiate outward from a point of direct force, while stress cracks in plastic covers typically follow structural flex lines or mounting hardware locations.
Question 7: A vehicle appraiser suspects the odometer has been rolled back. Which physical evidence on the vehicle is most supportive of this suspicion?
- Aftermarket radio installation
- Excessive wear on the brake pedal pad, steering wheel, and seat bolsters inconsistent with the indicated mileage (Correct answer)
- Minor surface rust on brake rotors
- Aftermarket floor mats
Correct answer: Excessive wear on the brake pedal pad, steering wheel, and seat bolsters inconsistent with the indicated mileage
Wear patterns on high-contact surfaces like brake pedals, steering wheels, and seat bolsters that exceed what is expected for the stated mileage are strong physical indicators of odometer fraud.
CAADE Vehicle Damage Identification 5
A vehicle is found to have a bent rear axle following a rear collision.
In addition to the axle, which adjacent component must be closely inspected for damage?