ARA Damage Code Locator

ARA Damage Code Locator

Damage Code Locator

Pictured below is what is most commonly referred to as a Damage Code Locator which is provided to recyclers by the Automotive Recyclers Association. The Damage Code Locator is extremely useful for identifying specific damage locations on parts.

Damage Locations always follow the same pattern:
Front to Back, Top to Bottom, Left to Right (as seen from Driver's Seat), in an "S" pattern, with locations for door handles and mirrors. Codes are location, damage and hours.

Example:
2D1 is a one hour dent in location 2. There may be a primary and secondary code per part as in 2D1,4S2. If there is no damage on a part the code is 000 (as in 3 zero's). Zero as a location indicates the entire panel, as in 0H4 (all over damage, 4Hrs.)

  • B = Burn
  • D = Dent
  • L = Lip
  • H = Hail
  • 000 = No Damage (all zero)
  • C = Crease
  • E = Bent
  • K = Buckle
  • J = Rip or Crack
  • R = Rust on Surface
  • P = Parking Lot Dings
  • S = Scratch-Surface Only
  • T = Paint Problem