--- url: "https://cheapvhr.com/blog/frame-vs-structural-damage" title: "Frame vs. Structural Damage: Decoding Carfax Damage Categories" --- [Back to Blog](https://cheapvhr.com/blog) ![Frame vs. Structural Damage: Decoding Carfax Damage Categories](https://i.postimg.cc/SsKhP1pk/frame-damage-vs-structural-damage.png) **Category**: cheap carfax # Frame vs. Structural Damage: Decoding Carfax Damage Categories **Written By**: CheapVHR Team **Published on**: Fri Jan 09 2026 0 min min read Buying a used vehicle should feel exciting and not confusing. But many potential buyers start second-guessing their decision the moment they see terms like “Accident,” “Structure Damage,” or “Frame Damage” on a Carfax report. That reaction is pretty normal, especially when you’re unfamiliar with what these labels actually mean. And it often leads to queries like, “What’s the real difference between frame and structural damage?” Or “Is it even safe to drive this car?” Let’s find out! ## Why the Distinction Matters for Value & Safety The structural foundation of a vehicle is never about looks only. In fact, it also affects occupant safety and crash performance. Experts even believe that the car’s structure rating is highly linked to occupant death risk in crashes. In a nutshell, structure always matters for survival and cannot be overlooked. Therefore, whenever a history report flags structural or frame damage, you should definitely investigate. ## Frame Damage vs. Structural Damage: Differences to Know Carfax and other vehicle history report platforms show [title brands](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/branded-title-Carfax), rebuilt titles, salvage, insurance total-loss reports, and damage indicators (structure damage notes, airbag deployment, etc.) But many people get confused about what "frame" and "structural damage" mean and what to do in this situation. Here’s how they differ: ### Frame Damage **Definition: **It means the vehicle’s frame (for body-on-frame vehicles) or unibody rails or supports (for unibody cars) were cracked, misaligned, or bent. **Normal Causes:** This flag can show up due to reasons like severe underbody hits, hitting fixed objects, or high-impact collisions (side or front). **Consequences:** Uneven tire wear, poor wheel alignment, unsafe crash energy management, or compromised crumple zones. ### Structural Damage **Definition:** It includes the damage to load-bearing parts of the vehicle beyond the visible panels, such as suspension mounts, subframes, strut towers, etc. **Normal Causes**: This damage can be subtler than obvious “frame” bending. Some reasons can be the torso of the car shifted, the rails buckled, and the mounting points changed. **Note:** Both these terms are used interchangeably in reports, but even the slightest difference when we’re assessing safety and repairability. ## How Does Vehicle Damage Affect Resale Value? When a vehicle is involved in an accident, its value decreases, even after repairs. When private buyers or dealerships review the car’s background, they mostly consider the quality of repairs, the severity of damage, and whether there was any airbag deployment or frame damage. That’s why cars with a clear history usually sell for way more than those with a bad record of accidents. Cars with a salvage title or those that have previously undergone significant structural repairs often encounter the biggest depreciation. Besides, luxury and newer vehicles tend to suffer a significant percentage of diminished value compared to older models. It’s because the buyers expect perfect condition when they purchase almost brand-new vehicles. ## What to Do if Structural or Frame Damage Shows Up When a frame or structural damage shows up on the Carfax report, it’s important to remember that not all flagged damage is the same. Some repairs are even safe and professional, while others can be problematic. In such a scenario, you need to follow the tips below: **Tip #1**. Request repair documentation as soon as possible. Simply ask the seller for repair invoices, repair shop details, and before/after photos. It’s even better if they can provide you with legitimate repairs by certified body shops. **Tip #2.** Get a trusted independent inspection if possible. A collision-repair specialist or a mechanic with frame measurement can help confirm alignment, critical mounting points, and weld quality as well. **Tip #3.** Thoroughly check & decode VIN and title brands across databases. Use NMVTIS-approved sources in addition to the Carfax report you have. That really helps because the NMVTIS system is a federal resource for brand/title history and provides legit data. **Tip #4**. Consider the long-term value impact the damage can have. Even well-repaired structural damage can decrease resale value and make insurers cautious. And accidents can also drag down retail prices, according to the severity. ## Conclusion While Carfax reports are mostly reliable, it’s crucial that you do not entirely depend on them. So, make sure you conduct a physical inspection and look for signs of structural or frame damage yourself, too. It’s also wise to take help from a qualified mechanic for inspection of the car for possible issues. Most importantly, choose a trusted platform when it comes to Carfax vehicle history reports, like [CheapVHR](https://cheapvhr.com/), so there’s no room for misunderstandings left. After all, they provide their users with all important details, including accident history, ownership history, [odometer readings](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/odometer-rollback-fraud-in-Carfax), title information, recall data, and service and maintenance records at just $4.49. ## Tags functional damage, structural damage ## Related Articles - [Affordable Carfax Reports: Instant VIN Checks & Trusted Vehicle History for Less](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/affordable-carfax-reports-instant-vin) - [Does Hail Damage Show Up on CARFAX?](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/hail-damage-carfax) - [How to Interpret the Details in a Carfax Report for Used Car Buying?](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/how-to-interpret-the-details-in-a-carfax-report-for-used-car-buying) - [Carfax Trade-In Value: What's the Worth of Your Car?](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/carfax-trade-in-value) - [What Does Recall Mean on a Car? ](https://cheapvhr.com/blog/what-does-recall-mean-on-a-car-) reCAPTCHA Recaptcha requires verification. 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