Spot weld/grinding marks near strut towers— factory or accident repair? (2013 Prius)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by rolling630, Aug 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM.

  1. rolling630

    rolling630 New Member

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    Hi everyone,

    I bought a 2013 Prius second-hand last year. Recently, I checked under the hood and noticed some marks around the strut tower area on both sides. They look a bit like grinding or welding scars on the metal surface.

    I’m not sure if this is a normal result of the factory process or if it could indicate past accident repair.

    Here are two photos I took:
    (attach your two pictures below)

    Both sides look similar and the marks are symmetrical, but they don’t look very smooth to me, so I wanted to double-check with the community.

    Has anyone else seen the same kind of marks on their Gen 3 Prius? Is this just the way Toyota does the spot weld and grinding at the factory, or should I be concerned about previous collision repair?

    Thanks in advance for any insights!

    1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg Roland
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    That's the cheap goop and glue that is no weld marks or brush marks that is brush marks from brushing on the goop that's from the factory
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Looking at my 2010, not conclusive, but I think you’re good, the uneven zones seem like sealant of sort, there’s similar in other places, applied and painted over.

    pics of mine attached:
     

    Attached Files: