Minor Car Dents and Why You Should Fix Them

Getting a car dent, even a small one, can be stressful and lower the value of your vehicle. Many times, we put off getting our dents fixed without knowing some of the consequences of doing so.

This article will go over the reasons why waiting to fix your dents may not be a good idea for your vehicle’s aesthetic and safety. We will also go over what to look out for when dealing with different kinds of dents, dings, and scratches.                                                                                                                                 

Car Dent Culprits

Whether you are driving or parked, your car is susceptible to getting dents at any time of the day. Here are some of the most common ways your car can get a dent:

Car Doors

Parking lots at grocery stores, event stadiums, and shopping plazas are all bad news for a vehicle body that is in excellent condition. Unfortunately, when visiting these places, you’re at the mercy of other drivers, who can often be tired or distracted.

Some drivers may not even be aware when they dent your car with their car door as they get in or out of their vehicles, or they may just shrug it off as a minor dent. But as you will read below, minor dents still need to be fixed.

Trolleys

Trolleys are another parking area hazard that could cause your vehicle to get dented. An overloaded or unattended trolley can careen out of control and slam into your car. The best way to avoid a trolley disaster is to park further away from other cars and shoppers. Though you may need to walk a little further, it will save your vehicle from those trolley dents and dings.

Branches/Falling Objects

Beware of parking under a tree when the weather is not at its best, as branches and other objects can fall on your car from a storm or severe wind. These objects cause damage such as dents, scrapes and gouges out of your vehicle. Try to avoid parking under a tree whenever possible and make sure any trees on your property are healthy and properly pruned. 

Why Should You Repair Small Dents?

Rust Can Occur

When you get dents in your car’s exterior, sometimes the water can seep into and under your body panels’ clear coat and paint. When this happens, moisture comes in contact with the metal underneath, and rust begins to form.

Even minor dents can have this issue, so it is essential to see a PDR specialist as soon as possible to avoid rust and further damage.

Paint Damage

Dents may also cause paint damage. While it might not look bad at first, exposure to inclement weather, car washes, and general wear and tear will cause the paint to deteriorate by peeling, cracking, and flaking off. If you don’t fix a dent quickly, you might end up needing a paint job or wrap to fix it.

Decrease Car’s Value

Even minor dents can affect the value of your car if you are trying to resell it. Aesthetics are almost as important to some buyers as what’s under the hood. 

Unless they’re fixed properly, dents make your car look older and not well taken care of when you’re trying to sell. As a result, you may get fewer potential buyers or less money than you were hoping if you leave minor dents on your car’s body.

Can Affect the Car’s Safety

A few minor exterior car dents may not be a huge issue to you, but they may be alluding to damage to your vehicle’s structure, such as the side panel or bumper. This is often not apparent at first glance yet may cause dangerous instability when you get behind the wheel.                                                                                                                                          

Types of Car Dents

Identifying dents is key because it will help you know who to take your vehicle to, as not all dents can be fixed by the same professionals. Dents come in all shapes and sizes, such as:

Sharp Dents. Sharp dents are typically caused by impacts from sharp objects. These tend to be quite large and can break through your car’s paint job if you aren’t careful.

Round Dents. Round dents are caused by soft, large round objects striking your vehicle. Hail damage is an example of round dents.

Creased Dents. Creased dents happen when another object strikes your car and is then dragged along.

Dings. Dings are the most minor kind of dent and the easiest to repair. These can be from car door impact or small objects falling or hitting your car.

Extreme Dents. Extreme dents are much larger than the other dents and are often irregularly shaped. They can be caused by larger objects hitting your vehicle, hit and runs, or impacts from an animal.

Get Your Car Looking Brand New Again with Caversham Coachworks

At Caversham Coachworks, our mission is to provide top-quality car repairs and dent removal services. Our technicians have the skills and tools to get your vehicle looking new again, whether you’re dealing with a minor or a severe dent. We offer exceptional service and use the most modern, safe techniques to repair your vehicle.
Call us today or complete our convenient online estimator tool and see why we are the leading independent vehicle repair centre in Berkshire and Central Oxfordshire.