Is there any way to find out if a car was damaged by the dealer or in shipment? Are there any requirements that they report damage to a car before it is sold? How can I go about getting a report on it?

This is in reference to a Hyundai (not my RX-8, thankfully.) Today while driving, I noticed an odd mark on my rear window -- a ring with four dots inside it. After a while, it hit me that it was probably left by the suction cups they used for putting in a new window. I am already concerned because while washing the passenger-side mirror, I noticed it had been damaged and someone tried to paint it and cover it up. Now I'm thinking maybe the read window was busted out and replaced -- and who knows what else.

How can I go about finding any report or information on damage to a car before it was sold? What if it isn't a traffic accident but a shipping accident?

Thanks for any help.

 

There is no requirement whatsoever that a dealer or a manufacturer keep records of a car's damage received in transit. Nor that it be disclosed when you buy the car. At best you can ask your service manager if there's an entry in the service record for that VIN.

And, mildly unrelated, the factory places windshields with the same suction-cupped tools as an outside replacer would use. So it's possible that any suction marks were left at the factory.

 

That's true about the suction tool -- but have you ever seen the mark on a brand new car? I would think that dealer prep would detail that out.