We do our best to avoid car accidents. But sometimes, our best isn’t enough. While not every accident will result in serious damage, the minor dents, dings, scratches, and scrapes will build up over time. Fixing every single one of them can cost a significant amount. Fortunately, not all car body panels are prone to getting damaged. You can concentrate on protecting and repairing specific car body parts that take the brunt of damage during major and minor impacts.
Let’s examine the most vulnerable car body panels and the reasons why they take so much damage in the first place:
It comes as no surprise that the front bumper is the most commonly damaged car body panel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and car repair shops have cited front collisions as the most common kind of road accident.
Since the front bumper is on the vehicle’s front end, it’s guaranteed to get damaged by the impact. Fortunately, the bumper’s often the only part that gets wrecked during minor collisions. Unfortunately, you must replace a damaged front bumper to maintain your vehicle’s safety on the road.
Aside from collisions, the front bumper can get dented, dinged, scratched, and scraped through inattentive driving or by small things. Compared to the severe damage associated with a major collision, these are the furthest from severe.
Next is the grille assembly that lets air flow into the engine bay to cool the radiator and engine. Located behind the front bumper, the grille is also vulnerable during front collisions, especially if a forceful impact breaks or forces the bumper backward. While grilles are made from strong materials, they’re nowhere as rugged as the bumpers. It’s a good thing that bumpers are usually strong enough to take the brunt of the impact, such that the grilles escape unscathed.
Usually, a damaged grille won’t prevent you from driving your vehicle. However, the damaged portions of the grille assembly will stand out and attract the wrong kind of attention. Furthermore, they might restrict air flow, reducing the radiator’s ability to manage the temperature of the running engine.
Replacing the damaged grille is recommended.
The rear bumper fulfills the same role as its front-mounted counterpart: Prevent severe damage to the rest of the vehicle during collisions. And like the front bumper, the rear bumper often takes a beating in the process of protecting the rear end of the car or truck.
Many road accidents involving two or more vehicles usually have one hitting the rear of the other. One driver’s front collision is often another driver’s rear-end collision. In these scenarios, the rear bumper generally gets hit by the front bumper.
Alternatively, drivers might accidentally back their vehicles into something else. Whether they’re street lamp posts, trees, other vehicles, or even pedestrians, the objects can cause damage to the rear bumper.
Common types of damage include cracks, dents, dings, scrapes, and scratches. When the rear bumper takes severe damage, it’s recommended to replace it as soon as possible, just like with the front one. A badly damaged rear bumper cannot provide the same level of protection as a pristine part.
Fenders are the wheel well frames above your vehicle’s wheels and tires. Their primary role is capturing the debris, dirt, and moisture kicked up by the spinning tires. Fenders prevent the potentially harmful road spray from hitting other vehicles and pedestrians.
Fenders also provide some protection against impacts. In particular, they often get damaged during side collisions.
Most side collisions involve objects and other vehicles grazing the fenders on one side of the car or truck. Because of this, fenders lent their name to fender benders, the term used for minor car accidents.
Some car accidents are sufficiently severe that they damage or outright destroy the front bumper and grille assembly. Other impacts bypass the bumper and hit somewhere less protected, such as the fenders during side collisions. The hood crumples in response to the force, reducing the chances of the damaged body panel pushing into the windshield or the car’s occupants.
Hard objects can also strike the car hood directly, marking it with dents and scratches. Possible causes for overhead damage include small animals, falling branches, and hailstones.
A damaged car hood will detract from the cosmetic appearance of your vehicle. More importantly, the warped body panel might interfere with safe driving.
Depending on how the impact affected the hood latch, the hood might get stuck in the closed position, suddenly pop open when jolted, or stay open and unlocked. Driving with an unlocked hood is dangerous, as it can pop open and block your view of the road.
Whereas front collisions endanger the car hood, rear-end collisions put the trunk lid at risk. A damaged lid might not engage its latch, causing the body panel to pop open and block your view of the back.
Finally, we have car doors, the parts that enable you to enter and exit your vehicle freely. They have safety features that protect you during side collisions. One example is the anti-intrusion bar in the door, which works like a bumper and absorbs the kinetic force of the impact.
A severely damaged car door cannot provide the same level of protection for your vehicle’s occupants. You should replace it as soon as possible.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.