What is a common visual indication of frame damage on a vehicle?

Uneven panel gaps are a significant visual indication of frame damage because they suggest that the structural integrity of the vehicle's frame may have been compromised. When a vehicle’s frame is bent or misaligned due to an impact, it can cause the panels that are attached to that frame to be positioned incorrectly. This misalignment results in gaps between body panels that are not uniform, indicating that the vehicle may have undergone a collision or stress that distorted the frame.

For instance, if one door appears to be sitting lower or higher than the adjacent door, or if the space between the fender and the door is noticeably different than the space on the opposite side, it typically points to framework issues. On the other hand, features like a shiny paint finish or new tires do not directly relate to structural problems; they may simply indicate cosmetic repairs or upgrades. Perfectly aligned doors would actually suggest that the frame is intact, rather than indicating any issues.