Fixing a Car Bumper: How Long Does It Take?

After an accident, you want to get your car back on the road and life to carry on. Considering bumpers are usually the most common impact point in collisions, they typically suffer the most damage.

The time it takes for repairs on every vehicle is determined on a case-by-case basis, and the person who is handling the repair will be able to roughly give you an idea of how long it should take. This might be a pretty quick, easy fix done in a shop, but depending on a few different factors, it may take longer.

Factors That Impact Bumper Repair

How can you determine the amount of time it will take to fix a bumper? Sometimes, it can take as little as 4 hours; other times, it could take a few days. Your mechanic or technician should be able to give you a good idea of when your car will be ready, though it still is helpful to understand the different reasons it may take a little longer for a bumper repair.

Parts Availability

If your bumper has been completely ruined, your only option is to replace the entire bumper. If this is the case, how long it takes to replace the bumper depends on the availability of the part needed. If it is widely available, you can purchase and fix the bumper in one day. If the part is not available, it’ll take longer due to finding parts and shipping. 

Type of Repair

Depending on the type of repair needed, it may take longer to fix or replace a bumper. For instance, if the bumper only has a light scratch, it shouldn’t take very long for a fix. However, multiple deep scratches or difficult dents will likely take more time to fix. 

After the repair is finished, the next step is painting the car. The colour applied must match the rest of your car, which can take more time to find a perfect match at a body colour shop.

Amount of Damage

If your bumper can be repaired, it will need to be removed and then sanded down to create a smooth surface. Any cracks will require welding, followed by repainting to make sure the damages go unnoticed. The painting and curing process can often take multiple hours to complete, so depending on the extent of painting needed determines how long it might take to be completely restored. 

Sometimes, vehicles that have very small dents can be repaired quickly with Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) equipment that can remove the dents within a day. Larger dents will need a more specialised approach, and panels that might need to be replaced completely can take up to two weeks.

Additionally, there may be other replacement parts needed aside from the dent repair and colour process. You may need new lights, mirrors, or windscreens, depending on the amount of damage. This all should be taken into account when repairs are done to make sure your vehicle is back in proper working condition and safe to be driven on the road.

What Car Model You Drive

Parts for foreign cars are much more costly and tricky to replace. Parts for rare or new car models are more challenging to find and, in some cases, may need to be imported.

Depending on the rarity of your car’s make and model, your mechanic or technician might have a harder time getting their hands on parts needed for your specific vehicle. Because of this, you may have to go longer without a vehicle until they have the pieces they need to replace the bumper.

Car Bumper Repair In Caversham

Dealing with a fender bender or some simple scratches may be easy to brush off, but you can be doing more harm to your car down the road if left ignored. A damaged bumper can put you at risk of a more harmful accident in the future with less protection and cushion from a serious blow. It’s easy to ignore when you just want to get back on the road but protect yourself and your passengers by getting a quality fix done by a professional. 

Caversham Coachworks is your reliable partner when it comes to fixing your car. Our seasoned team specialises in swift, top-quality repairs and is dedicated to give your vehicle the care it needs. We take pride in providing a wide range of services and repairs to meet your needs. 

We offer services like:

• Alloy wheel refurbishment 
• Cooling systems and air-conditioning maintenance
• Paintless dent removal (PDR)
• Same-day repairs
• Steering component repairs
• Electrical system maintenance and refurbishment

At our convenient locations in Caversham and Abingdon, we are here to help with traditional, modern, hybrid, and EV vehicles with our state-of-the-art equipment. If you have been involved in an accident, whether it is minor or major, connect with us today or use our free and easy estimator tool. Let’s get you back on the road as soon and as safely as possible.