Weather damaged cars - Fact or Fiction?

[Hair Bear]

Hi, here's a question for you...
I seem to recall a story of a major hailstorm around 2004/5 in Germany that damaged a large amount of brand new cars stocked in storage yards. The cars were supposed to have suffered considerable glass and bodywork damage. The story goes that they were reworked and sent out to dealers, and an affected car was to be pointed out by the dealer to an interested party. They could apparently be identified by a particular character in the vin no. or on the build plate maybe.

Now, what brought up the question was my noticing - albeit only once - a sunlight refraction across the roof of my car that resembled the surface of a golf ball!! Walked back and forth several times but could not replicate it, even took out the rear interior light to look at the underside. Nothing. Then I remembered this tale, hence asking.
And before it gets suggested, yes, I've had my eyes tested more than a dozen times in the last six weeks for 'ongoing reasons'. (If you start seeing flashes of light, spots or shadows get medical advice quickly. Seriously.) Result is that I'm grounded and so bored I'm asking daft questions.

Anyhow, true or false anyone?

[Crasher]

It has happened more than once and in the UK, new cars now shipping with roof and bonnet coverings in some cases.

[Hair Bear]

Interesting. Was there a recognised way of identifying an affected car?

[Crasher]

poor paint on the roof

[Hair Bear]

Ah, so there wasn't an extra character added to the build plate or anything like that then?

[Crasher]

Not that I have ever come across