Side Damage Panel Beating Services
Some of the most common types of unrepaired damage that we see are dents, dings and scratches on the side panels of vehicles. For some reason, too many drivers think there’s nothing wrong with continuing to drive around with damage to the side panels of their car.
We get it – damage happens. You either get sideswiped by another driver who is in too much of a hurry, or you completely misjudge how much space you have to squeeze through a gap. Let’s not forget about those sneaky parking garage posts that come out of nowhere to attack your car.
It’s important that when these unfortunate accidents happen, you have your side panels checked over by your panel beater as soon as possible.
There are a few reasons why it’s not ideal to drive around with unrepaired side panel damage.
Side panel damage could be a sign of serious problems underneath
If you’ve been hit or hit something, it may not be apparent to you how much damage has been caused to your car. A side panel can be quite large with several parts and components on its inside. Depending on the location of the impact and how fast your car was moving, there may be significant damage to some of the internal parts, mechanical components, or the car’s frame that you cannot see.
Let’s say, for example, that you get hit on the side and don’t have your vehicle checked out. Then a few months go by, and you either get hit again or hit something on the same side. You will have no idea how much damage to your car there really is. Scratches upon scratches just mask what could be more serious damage below the surface.
Undetected and unrepaired damage, then, can actually make your vehicle unsafe. Suppose you haven’t had the structural integrity of the body of your car checked after an accident. In that case, regardless of how minor you think it is – you may be putting yourself and your passengers at risk of getting seriously injured.
Scratches, dents and dings that aren’t repaired will get worse
If you don’t have them looked after and repaired, these scratches, dents and dings will get worse. Scratched or chipped paint is more likely to continue to chip or peel. It’s also more susceptible to damage from the sun’s UV rays or bird droppings.
We have also seen that people aren’t as careful around scratched and dented cars. If you’re steering a wonky grocery trolley through a car park and there’s a shiny luxury vehicle on one side of you and a scratched and dented car on the other side, we bet we know which one you’re going to try harder to avoid. Vehicle owners themselves don’t look after damaged cars as well as they do clean and tidy ones – it’s human nature to want to keep clean things clean.
Side damage left unrepaired may cost you more money than future repairs
If and when you go to sell your vehicle, that side panel damage will most definitely affect the amount you’re able to get for your car. So by trying to save money by not repairing panel damage, you may actually be costing yourself more in the long run.
There is also the possibility that unrepaired damage may affect the validity of your car insurance policy or any future claims you make. Every situation is different; however, if you submit a vehicle damage claim to your insurance company and they realise that there was previous unrepaired damage, it may become much more complicated than necessary to have the claim paid out.
What is involved with side damage panel beating?
Having side panel damage checked over by a panel beater is essential, then, to maintain the safety of your vehicle, the value of it, and possibly the insurance cover of it. We can’t emphasise enough the importance of having your vehicle assessed after an accident or sideswipe.
A side panel damage check by your panel beater should include checking the:
- the structural integrity of the frame and chassis
- door locking and window electrics
- side airbags
- side/wing mirrors
- indicator lights
- blind-spot warning lights (in your side mirrors)
- condition of the paint
- door handles, door guards
- running board
- undercarriage
- fuel door lever and release cable
As you can see, there is a long list of components and parts that may be damaged after a sideswipe or collision that damages the side panels of your car. Only an experienced panel beater like Mt Roskill Collision Centre will know what to check. We’ll even take photos and contact your insurance company for you to help make your insurance claim easier.
If you have been in an accident, remember first to check whether everyone is okay. Read here for a handy list of what to do if you’ve been involved in a car accident. Then contact us for a free, no-obligation quote for any panel beating or car repairs.
The Mt Roskill Collision Centre promise
Our goal is to have everyone on New Zealand roads driving safely. We offer a lifetime guarantee on our car repairs from our panel beating and collision repair service centre in Mt Roskill, Auckland. Contact us online or call us on 0800 227 762 for a free quote or to book an appointment.
