How to Keep Your Car Dent and Scratch-Free

While we would all like to keep our cars pristine from the moment we buy them until they drive their last kilometre, unfortunately life is simply too unpredictable to guarantee. Dents and dings often occur while you aren’t aware or even near your car. Doors get opened overzealously, shopping trolleys go wayward and nature shows us how unpredictable it truly can be.

Luckily, there are some easy tips and tricks to help you on your path to a scratch-free car. This article will highlight some of the best ways you can help protect your vehicle from dents, dings and scratches to help save you money and keep your car looking new for years to come. 

Ways to Avoid Car Dents and Scratches

1. Park Away From Other Vehicles

While this may not always be possible, whenever you can safely do so, try to get the furthest spot away from the front doors of the shopping centre or grocer’s, as that is where most people are trying to park. Dents and dings are a much bigger risk in those higher traffic areas. Walking a few extra steps to avoid getting your door dinged is a small price to pay. 

2. Cover Your Car

Of course this isn’t a tip for your trip to the grocer’s, but at home, if you are unable to secure a covered parking area or garage, using a car cover is the next best choice. These covers help avoid weather damage, such as light hail and everyday scratches (from a wayward handbag or keychain to an excited child with a toy.) 

Always check the material and quality of the cover you are buying and make sure that it matches with the weather demands of your area, as there are specific covers for wet climates, cold climates and more. 

3. Use Covered or Indoor Parking When Possible

As stated above, it may not always be easy or possible to use covered parking, but if you do have a garage or awning, utilise it every chance you get. Weather and wind can change in a hurry and if you have children or a yard, many other scenarios where the car becomes the star of a tragedy happen too often. 

4. Avoid Extreme Weather

It is best to avoid driving your car during any extreme weather conditions at all — hail and harsh wind can damage a car in the blink of an eye. If you plan on a long day of driving, check your local weather app and stay safe and scratch-free. 

5. Don’t Use Your Car as a Table

Juggling eight carrier bags is hard enough, but mix in some kids or pets and you have a recipe for an unintentional scratch when something goes awry and the nearest place to set your goods is on the boot or the bonnet. While it seems harmless, a badly placed set of keys or bag of food can do real damage to the metal surfaces (and paint) of your vehicle. 

While you may want to carry everything in one trip to avoid coming back to the car, trying to swing that much can not only damage the car, but you can spill your bags or hurt your hands or back by carrying too much. 

6. Learn to Parallel Park

Most drivers want to get in and out of the store so fast, they avoid easy and safe spots due to the fact that you have to parallel park into them. The easiest way to learn is to find a friend or have your partner show you if they are good parking this way. It can be frustrating the first few tries, but once you get the hang of it, a whole new world of parking will open up to you.

7. Don’t Panic if You Get a Scratch

Try as you might, you will probably receive a ding or scratch on your car in your lifetime. Luckily, there are shops out there that specifically cater to paintless (and painless) dent repair. So while prevention is what you should aim for, having a good dent removal shop on speed-dial is never a bad idea either. 

Need a Fast and Reliable Dent Repair Shop?

The only safe and reliable solution for dent repair is to take your car to a professional. The technicians at Caversham Coachworks have the skills and tools to get your vehicle looking new again, whether you’re dealing with a minor or a serious dent. We offer exceptional service and use the most modern, safe techniques to repair your vehicle.

Caversham Coachworks is the premier option for paint and car body repairs in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Call us today and get your free estimate.