It may not be illegal to drive with a damaged bumper, or one patched up with duct tape, but it is still a very bad idea. Here are some reasons why professionally repairing or replacing a cracked or dented bumper is far more preferable to DIY measures.

 

1. The structural integrity of the bumper may have been affected

You may have driven away from a collision with what you think is only cosmetic damage to your car. The vehicle may still pass its MOT, and if you don’t want the hassle of claiming on your insurance, why bother? The reason is that cracks or dents, even fairly minor ones, affect the overall integrity of the bumper.

There is a strong likelihood that the bumper’s effectiveness against future impacts will be compromised. The ability of the crumple zone to withstand and absorb shocks will be more limited, meaning another accident could cause damage to the body or internal components of a car.

If there are visible signs of damage to the bumper, it is likely that the foam layer underneath is broken, and this should be replaced immediately to prevent damage to vital parts such as the engine should a further collision happen. You may even be putting yourself and your passengers at greater risk of injury because of reduced vehicle safety performance.

 

2. The bumper may be concealing other damage

The bumper is designed to limit damage to the main frame of the car, but even the most effective bumper cannot completely prevent damage occurring. A bump to the rear of the vehicle can cause loose wires, which means your brake and reversing lights may not be working.

The boot latch mechanism may have been weakened, and the tailgate could fly open when you are in transit. The frame of the car may have been misaligned, meaning the effectiveness of the steering is reduced. Poorly aligned wheels will also reduce fuel economy and wear tyres down quickly.

The hooks which hold the bumper to the car might be damaged and at breaking point. If they fail while you are driving, the bumper may fall off your car and hit another road user, causing a potentially serious accident.

Therefore, even if you do not intend to replace a damaged bumper after an accident, it is crucial for optimal motoring and the safety of other road users to get your vehicle checked over by a mechanic, and not just patch up the damage yourself.

 

3. Damage may affect your insurance

If you are involved in a serious accident in the future, and damage is sustained which you file an insurance claim for, the insurers will take into account the previous condition of the vehicle. A patched-up bumper may be given as a contributory factor to the damage, and you may get less or even no insurance money.

 

4. The resale value of your vehicle will be reduced

If you want to sell the vehicle in the future, a damaged or DIY repaired bumper will significantly lower your asking price, meaning you won’t get a good return on your initial investment.

 

If you are looking for a Mercedes A class front bumper, please get in touch today.