Returned to dented car: accident or vandalism? (Pics)

[g3org3y]

Early last week, awoke to find a rather 'healthy' sized dent on the front left wing of my E30.

Must have taken place either overnight while parked outside my house, alternatively (and more likely) sustained while parked in the hospital's multi-storey car park the day before.

The dent is quite high up, above the arch itself. Perhaps as a result of a high 4x4 bumper? The paint appears intact and I'm hoping it'll push/pull out. To be honest it almost looks as though it has been kicked in.

Opinions? Accident or vandals (I don't have (m)any enemies)?

Will I be able to get it out by pushing from the inside or is going to require a pro?

[Paul Drawmer]

Looks as if your car's been used as a bonking leaning post. Had a pro on it already.

Edited by Paul Drawmer on Monday 25th October 23:09

[retrorider]

Good paintless dent repair technician will make that vanish.

[Fizpop]

Looks like the result of a kick to me. Reason being that the paint isnt broken (result of the sole of a shoe?) and there isnt any other localised damage that might occur if another vehicle had hit it. Coupled to it looks like the right place that a foot might be 'stomped' should a fktard take it into his tiny mind to do so. You dont have to have enemies, there are enough braindead folks around these days that'll do this st for no reason at all!

[Tom H]

I reackon vandalism as typically this would have a lower excess than an accidental damage claim.

If you are thinking insurance claimIng

[g3org3y]

Certainly not thinking insurance claim. Security at the hospital are checking the CCTV.

I'm wondering whether I should get the inner lining off and give it a push out or just keep hands off and get the pros to 'do their thang'. My concern is the proximity to the crease.

At first I was absolutely livid but now I've developed almost an apathy to the situation knowing that even if it is sorted it could certainly happen again any other day.

[8400rpm]

Even a kick would leave little scratches where grit and dirt on the sole of the shoe gets whacked against it.

£5 on someone leaning or possibly falling against it...

[madala]

Fizpop said:

Looks like the result of a kick to me. Reason being that the paint isnt broken (result of the sole of a shoe?) and there isnt any other localised damage that might occur if another vehicle had hit it. Coupled to it looks like the right place that a foot might be 'stomped' should a fktard take it into his tiny mind to do so. You dont have to have enemies, there are enough braindead folks around these days that'll do this st for no reason at all!

....it's amazing how many cars I see driving around Lonson that have obviously been kicked or kneed, often the boot area is the prime target. I despair that there are so many morons in this world and gawd knows what I would do if I caught someone doing it to my P&J. Ignorant scummy b'stards.

Edited by madala on Tuesday 26th October 09:41

[ludicrous speed]

If i was vandalising that car i wouldn't have picked that spot, so it's definitely not vandalism, unless the vandal wanted you to think that, in which case it was vandalism.

[Pistachio]

This is damaged from the rear mounted tyre on a 4X4 probably a Rav4 or Honda CRV. When they back up they cannot feel it as the tyre takes the strain. Thats why the wheel arch is not touched. Numpties who park by touch

Edited by Pistachio on Tuesday 26th October 09:59

[carl carlson]

Doesn't look like car on car action, no scratches or paint transfer. I had a similiar dent in 106 I owned many years ago. Turned out to be caused by some of the local kids leaning against.

[tinman0]

Big enough for a football maybe? (had a similar dent many years ago from a football).

[BDR529]

g3org3y said:

Certainly not thinking insurance claim. Security at the hospital are checking the CCTV.

I'm wondering whether I should get the inner lining off and give it a push out or just keep hands off and get the pros to 'do their thang'. My concern is the proximity to the crease.

At first I was absolutely livid but now I've developed almost an apathy to the situation knowing that even if it is sorted it could certainly happen again any other day.

I know how you feel, vandals had a go at my E30 with paintstripper a few months back.

Now I always think the same might have happened again when I get back to it.

[CraigW]

personally, I cant see a kick or a football causing that damage on that part of a BMW, it must be pretty strong there.

I'd go with spare wheel of a 4x4 as has been mentioned. CCTV may reveal the culprit, best of luck.

[paoloh]

g3org3y said:

I'm wondering whether I should get the inner lining off and give it a push out or just keep hands off and get the pros to 'do their thang'. My concern is the proximity to the crease.

(

Do NOT try to push it out yourself. It is very near that swage line and you could make it look awful. Spend £25 on a dent tech repair.

[Sonofabeesting]

CraigW said:

personally, I cant see a kick or a football causing that damage on that part of a BMW, it must be pretty strong there.

I'd go with spare wheel of a 4x4 as has been mentioned. CCTV may reveal the culprit, best of luck.

Agreed, a violent impact would probably crack the paint. If some tool in a 4x4 with the spare wheel on the back gently reversed that could be the cause

Feel your pain. Last week got back to our car to see someone had either hit it with their car or with a shopping trolley (it was parked at IKEA). Smashed a headlight, so cue me having to fork out for a new headlight unit and having to remove the bumper to replace it. On top of that I now have a brand new headlight (all shiny) and the other headlight is 10 years old so is faded. That means it looks likes it had a smash and I am currently trying to sell it.

Selfish prick that did it just drove off and left me to foot the bill and the pain.

[JungleJim]

someone has stumbled it to when drunkenly returning home from the pub, or they have leant against it whilst having a chat.

[Tom H]

I wasn't implying that it was vandalism. In fact I don't think it is, but if claiming it may be most cost effective to put it down to vandalism!

[g3org3y]

Thanks for all the replies.

Decided it needs to be sorted properly - anyone got any recommendations in the N London/Herts area for mobile dent repair?

[Jonny671]

Pistachio said:

This is damaged from the rear mounted tyre on a 4X4 probably a Rav4 or Honda CRV. When they back up they cannot feel it as the tyre takes the strain. Thats why the wheel arch is not touched. Numpties who park by touch

Edited by Pistachio on Tuesday 26th October 09:59

I came back to my MX5 to find a stty old st box £10 worth st Volvo about an inch from my rear bumper, it was dark so I couldn't see if there was any damage but know the will have driven into the rear bumper and then just backed up a touch.

wkers the lot of them.. I saw a van do it to a car, backed up, backed up, bumped the car behind then drove off.. Really fking annoys me.