CRASH? Cost? Whats to be done??

[Anony12125656]

Recently being rear-ended. The impact wasn't to0 strong as there was minimal damage to his car only a minor dint. Not going to claim as it will make my insurance premium go through the roof. However this is the damage to my car!! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cv443wUFRsgbdjVC2
How much (about) will this cost to repair? and what will have to be done?? (I will get quotes but just want to get some advice and make sure I ain't getting ripped off) Cheers.

[parabolica]

Looks plastic; assuming you can get your hand behind where it's dented in, I would try the 'pour boiling water on it and push it out' method first.

[DuraAce]

You MIGHT be lucky and find it's only the bumper that is needing repair.

[untakenname]

Try putting on the kettle then pouring it onto the damage, I've seen worse pop out.

[paintman]

Potentially a new bumper.
BUT
Providing there are no attachments in the damaged area - underlying metal structures that the bumper is attached to & are now bent so would need pulling back out to release the bumper
POSSIBLY
the application of heat & a bit of careful pushing from inside
MIGHT
bring the plastic back to its original shape.

Then it would depend on the damage to the paint whether any painting needs to be done.

I've had a fair amount of success using infra-red heat lamps on plastic bumpers to put them back to original shape & providing the paint hasn't cracked haven't needed to repaint. Don't know if boiling water would work & if you want to try a hot air paint stripper be VERY careful or you'll blister the paint.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

You mention 'not going to claim', yet if you were rear ended isn't it him who needs to be paying, or you claiming off his insurance?

[Anony12125656]

Cheers all, I will try the use of some sort of heat to pop it back into place. If this fails and its just the bumper that's damaged how much (about) does it cost to replace? Thanks

[996TT02]

Pretty confident that beneath the plastic the beam is bent, and potentially (look inside the boot, remove carpet - may not even be necessary) also the bodyshell.

He should be claiming off his insurance I don't even see why you need to involve yours.

Could cost hundreds to sort out properly, if you don't, expect hundreds or more to be taken off the value of your car come resale time.

[Anony12125656]

It was done by somebody I know. Young lad who doesn't have much money. If I claim on his insurance end up costing him thousands in premiums. I just let him off and said I'd pay for it myself.

Edited by Anony12125656 on Saturday 10th March 19:58

[VRSFaz]

I feel sorry for the poor person who ends up buying that car in the future.

[Mr Tom]

Took my car to a body shop for a small scratch on the bumper. Wanted £550 to remove bumper, paint bumper, refit and reset parking sensors. On the pricey side so can see why insurance costs are so high

[Anony12125656]

VRSFaz said:

I feel sorry for the poor person who ends up buying that car in the future.

How come???

[untakenname]

Looks like a low energy impact, if it were servere then the exhaust would be out of alignment.
Still best to get under the car and have a hoos1 look.
Insurance companies will jack up your premium for the next five years anyway if you declare even if you're not at fault so if your friends with the person fixing outside of insurance is preferable for all parties imo.

[rlg43p]

untakenname said:

Insurance companies will jack up your premium for the next five years anyway

Some will some won’t. Just insure with one that doesn’t.

If the damage extended to the structure behind the plastic you should claim.

[Anony12125656]

Yep it was low impact, he's not claiming and neither am I unless I have structural damage. What is the best way to check for structural damage? Check from inside the boot underneath the carpet?

[valiant]

VRSFaz said:

I feel sorry for the poor person who ends up buying that car in the future.

Why? More than likely it's only going to be the bumper. Doesn't look too severe to knacker the beam behind it.

Plenty of cars out there have experienced worse and are driving around with no problems. Cars get pranged all the time.

Try the pop out method and if that fails then try some breakers.

[Anony12125656]

Yep it was low impact, he's not claiming and neither am I unless I have structural damage. What is the best way to check for structural damage? Check from inside the boot underneath the carpet?

[Sheepshanks]

Mr Tom said:

Took my car to a body shop for a small scratch on the bumper. Wanted £550 to remove bumper, paint bumper, refit and reset parking sensors. On the pricey side so can see why insurance costs are so high

I had the same. Doesn't seem long ago you could get small repairs done for £50 or so.

[Mexman]

Paint has crazed, I can see it clearly
That is going to need filling and painting even if it does return to some sort of normality.
The bumper moulding on the corner is never going to return to normal shape.
I think a replacement bumper plus paint is going to be easier, if not cheaper.

[helix402]

eBay. Used bumper in the same colour. Sorted.