Car dents or major collision repairs are a sad fact of driving for some. Whether it’s a simple fender bender or something much more impactful, car accidents ultimately lead to taking a visit to your local body shop for an estimate and repair. And depending on what coverage plan your auto insurance is under, the price can vary.
But what should be clear above all else is the dents need to be fixed. From general appearance on down to maximum performance, there are a number of reasons why getting your dents and damage fixed can benefit down the road.
Keeping Up With Appearances
Would you really be comfortable driving down the road with a missing rear bumper or taped down hood? I wouldn’t. Aside from protecting the metal frame and gears and shafts underneath, your car’s exterior aesthetics should be looking its absolute best. With as much care and attention you put towards your car with a simple car wash, it makes just as much sense to outfit and maintain your car’s body accordingly. This means checking for cracks, scratches and paint chips and having them buffed to a mirror shine whenever possible.
Maximize Performance
From an aerodynamic perspective, most modern cars have been molded to drive efficiently with and against the wind. This affects how well your car’s fuel economy standards are, among other things. Now imagine how strained your car’s drive would be on the open road with wind patterns rolling off of a loose bumper? And in extreme cases where the wind speed approaches 25+ miles, the grab and pull on a loose rear bumper can take precious seconds off your car’s performance, or worse, the high winds could pull a loose bumper completely off the body of your car.
A great example of a car being hindered from a dent is what happened to my old 1989 Honda Accord. I accidently ran the front bumper into a wooden post and hit it just hard enough to push the dent down dangerously close to the tire. It was still driveable after I got the headlight fixed, but since I ignored the dent for the time being, the more I drove, and the more bumps or potholes I ran across, the closer my tire would shave up against the dent, causing the tread to thin out. Luckily, the tire itself didn’t pop or burst before I took it in to get it fixed, although that is definitely a possibility from dent negligence.
And it’s no coincidence that ignoring a leaky oil pipe or cracked water pump will come back to bite your car’s performance, let alone allowing it to start or idle properly. Same goes with the alignment being compromised from a fender bender or being too aggressive over a speed bump or curb.
State Laws
Depending on the state you live in, many inspections at the local DMV require the car’s exterior to complement the car’s working condition. With that, I mean many cars can’t pass inspection if it’s missing a tail pipe, has a cracked headlight or tail light, has a pushed-in door or any number of collision-related issues. And for good reason. The car must be in working condition and have the appearance that every part is secure enough to not pose a hazard for the driver or other drivers on the road.
And that’s the thing with dents and collision repair: it can cost the driver more money in the end because of one dent leading to other headaches later on. Obviously no one likes the thought of car repair or inspections, but they are necessary for making sure your car is of the highest order.
About The Author: Kyle is a freelance writer and automotive enthusiast who contributes for a local car dealership, Cable Dahmer of Kansas City, which specializes in Chevy cars and trucks, auto repair needs and much more.