Key Takeaways
- X = panel needs replacement; XX = already replaced (most serious damage indicators)
- Y marks = cracks or holes; Y1 (small) to Y3 (large)
- S marks = rust; S3 means significant rust requiring repair
- H marks = faded paint; cosmetic, fixed with a polish or a respray
- Multiple X or XX marks on structural panels suggest serious past accident damage
X, XX, Y, S and H are five damage codes that matter more than everyday scratches. Unlike A (scratch) and U (dent), which record cosmetic wear, these tell you whether a panel needs replacing (X) or was already replaced (XX), whether there is a crack or hole (Y), rust (S) or faded paint (H). Here is what each one means for you as a buyer.
Quick Reference
| Code | Type | Severity | Concern level |
|---|---|---|---|
| X | Panel needs replacing | Too damaged to repair | High |
| XX | Panel already replaced | Work done before auction | Medium |
| Y1 | Small crack or hole | Minor | Low |
| Y2 | Crack or hole | Moderate | Medium |
| Y3 | Large crack or hole | Significant | High |
| S1 | Light rust | Treatable | Low |
| S2 | Rust | Needs treatment | Medium |
| S3 | Heavy rust | Needs repair | High |
| H | Paint faded | Cosmetic | Low |
X Marks — Panel Needs Replacing
X means the inspector judged that panel or part too damaged to repair: it has to be replaced. It is written where the damage is, on a bumper, a door, a wing or a light. X usually appears on its own, without a 1 to 3 number.
Why it matters: the seller has not done the work. The cost of the new part, the paint to match it and the fitting passes to you, so price it in before you bid.
XX Marks — Panel Already Replaced
The panel has already been replaced
XX means the part was replaced before the auction. The work is done. The questions that matter are why it was replaced and how well.
One XX on a bumper after a parking knock is normal. Several XX marks on one corner of the car point to a real impact. Use the location to judge it:
| XX Location | Concern | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bumpers (plastic) | Low — bumpers are replaced often | Nothing more, unless other marks sit around it |
| Bonnet or front wings | Medium — often a front-end knock | W marks nearby, radiator support, panel gaps |
| Doors | Medium — a side impact is possible | Pillars and door gaps on the same side |
| Tailgate or boot lid | Medium — often a rear knock | Rear panel and boot floor |
| Several panels on one corner | High — likely a significant impact | Whether the car is graded R or RA (repair history) |
Y Marks — Cracks and Holes
Y records a crack or a hole. The number shows how big: Y1 is small, Y2 is medium and Y3 is large. You see it most on plastic bumpers and trim, and sometimes where an accessory was removed and left holes behind.
Common Y mark situations and what they mean
- Y1 on a bumper corner: a small crack. Often repairable without replacing the bumper.
- Y2 or Y3 on a bumper: the bumper usually needs replacing. Look for X or U (dent) marks nearby.
- Y on metal panels: less common, and worth asking the seller about.
S Marks — Rust
S records rust. S1 is light surface rust, S2 is rust that needs treatment and S3 is heavy rust that needs repair. Location matters more than the number: rust on a door edge is cosmetic, rust on a sill or under the car is not.
Cars from Japan's snowy north see road salt every winter and carry more rust. Read our guide to snow-region cars and rust before you bid on one. A separate code, C, records corrosion, a more advanced stage than S.
H Marks — Paint Faded
H records faded or tired paint, usually from years of sun. It is cosmetic: it does not mean damage to the metal. Some sheets add a number to show how bad it is.
Where H marks commonly appear
- Roof, bonnet and the top of the boot lid: the surfaces that face the sun.
- Dark and red colours: they fade faster than white or silver.
- What it costs you: a polish for light fading, a respray of the panel for heavy fading.
Dangerous Combinations to Watch For
Individual marks tell you about specific damage. Combinations of marks across a sheet reveal patterns that are more concerning than any single mark alone:
| Combination | What it indicates | Action |
|---|---|---|
| XX on several panels, one corner | A real impact on that corner | Check the grade for R or RA, and inspect that corner |
| XX + W on the same side | Panels replaced and others repaired after one impact | Check pillars and sills on that side |
| X + Y on a bumper | A cracked bumper that still needs replacing | Price the new bumper in before you bid |
| S2 or S3 + C on sills or underbody | Advanced rust in places that matter | Underside inspection before purchase |
| H on roof and bonnet | Sun-faded paint | Cosmetic. Budget for a respray if it bothers you |
Price Impact
| Mark | Effect on price | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| X on a plastic part | Small | Replace and paint the part |
| X on a metal panel | Moderate | New panel, paint matching, fitting |
| XX, one panel | Small to moderate | None needed; check the quality of the work |
| XX, several panels or near structure | Large | Inspection; the car may carry repair history |
| Y1 to Y3 | Small | Plastic repair or a new bumper |
| S1 / S2 | Small to moderate | Rust treatment and paint |
| S3 on sills or underbody | Large | Section repair or welding |
| H | Small | Polish or respray |
Costs vary a lot by model and by country, so treat this as a guide to how serious each mark is rather than a price list.
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