Apparatus for detecting, determining and documenting damages, in particular deformations of painted surfaces caused by sudden events

The method involves focusing a strong light onto a surface of a vehicle, which is reflected at the surface which can be examined and scanned by light. A signal processor scans surface defects according to an evaluation algorithm which is predetermined. The method has a source of light and screening coordinates which are moved by a steering mechanism and allows turnings of the co-ordinated steered rotation and/or shifting and/or lagging of the vehicle around or along its vertical axis within a frame. The surface of the vehicle is scanned at the reflection position of the source of light and a camera is moved into position to capture the position of the reflected light.