The following motor vehicle inspection shall be conducted by qualified persons and shall be deemed reasonable pursuant to Subsection B of Section 57-12-6 NMSA 1978 by:

1. A. inspecting the motor vehicle for evidence of repainting such as:

   1. (1) differences in paint color or texture;
   2. (2) mismatched sizes of metallic sparkle in the paint;
   3. (3) embedded dirt or deep scratches in the top coat of the paint; and
   4. (4) uneven paint thickness;

2. B. inspecting the motor vehicle for evidence of any repair or alteration, with the inspection involving only minimal disassembly, for:

   1. (1) uneven gaps between sheet metal panels;
   2. (2) differences between the headlamps;
   3. (3) paint overspray on moldings and trim;
   4. (4) paint tape edges in the jams;
   5. (5) hammer damage;
   6. (6) replaced body panels due to impact;
   7. (7) holes drilled and plugged in jams or shell of the motor vehicle;
   8. (8) damage inside the trunk or under the spare tire; and
   9. (9) signs of corrosion or lack of corrosion protection;

3. C. inspecting the motor vehicle chassis for evidence of such things as:

   1. (1) pinched weld flange underneath the motor vehicle;
   2. (2) weld sites;
   3. (3) signs of repair to unibody structural parts;
   4. (4) signs of buckles or non-original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) welding repair to unibody structural parts;
   5. (5) signs of corrosion, or lack of corrosion protection; and
   6. (6) other non-OEM alteration or repair that may have been performed to the chassis;
4. D. inspecting the motor vehicle’s caulking and seam sealer for differences and inconsistencies;
5. E. inspecting the motor vehicle’s identification number tags;
6. F. inspecting the motor vehicle parts for labels that say replacement department of transportation “(R-DOT)”;
7. G. inspecting the motor vehicle for alterations or repairs not consistent with repair industry standards; and
8. H. performing reasonable additional inspection or inquiry into the age and condition of the motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to assure compliance with this rule.

[12.2.14.10 NMAC - N, 4/1/2014; A, 8/31/2016]