Whether you’ve had a small fender-bender or a major collision, you’ll want to get your vehicle back in pre-accident condition as quickly as possible. While cosmetic problems might be the most obvious, there are many other problems you may run into after having an accident with your BMW or Mini Cooper.
Some issues are easy to spot, while others may not be noticeable to the untrained eye. This makes it important to have your vehicle checked by an expert after any type of collision. Following are a few of the most common post-collision issues we see at our Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks locations.
Dents
Even minor collisions often result in dents that require the car’s metalwork to be repainted and/or replaced. For minor damage, a skilled repair shop can often easily complete a paintless dent repair, which is faster and less expensive than traditional dent repair.
Deeper dents will often require more extensive work and may cause issues beyond cosmetics. Depending on the location, major dents can sometimes create structural damage that can negatively impact your vehicle’s performance.
Paint Damage
Most collisions cause at least a bit of paint damage, ranging from scratches, chips, and scuff marks to deep gouges. When only the top layer of paint is damaged, it’s easy to do a quick touch-up. However, if you have major damage, your mechanic will often recommend a minor paint job or a full repainting, depending on the extent of the damage. This is typically done after all structural damage has been repaired.
Alignment Problems
If you’ve been in a major collision, there’s a good chance that your vehicle is suffering from alignment issues. While it can be difficult to diagnose misalignment simply by looking at your vehicle, you may notice that something feels “off” when you’re driving.
Some common signs of misalignment include odd vibrations, steering that is noisy or feels “wobbly,” squealing tires, or the vehicle pulling to one side. If left for too long, this can put undue stress on your tires, brakes, suspension, and other parts, which could affect your vehicle’s safety and lead to costly repairs.
Headlight or Tail Light Issues
It’s common for vehicles to have issues with their lights after a collision. This could be caused by broken lights, lens damage, or disconnected wiring. If your headlights or taillights are broken, you’ll need to replace them. However, the other two issues are simple fixes. It’s easy to reattach a loose wire and you can likely use a car light lens repair kit to fix lens damage.
Frame Damage
Your vehicle’s frame provides its supporting structure. It holds the suspension in place, helps align the wheels, and supports the radiator, among other things. It’s difficult to detect frame damage after an accident, but critical to have it repaired. A qualified mechanic will be able to quickly identify frame damage and provide an estimate for repair.
Trunk Damage
After a rear-end collision, it’s common to run into problems with your trunk. The extent of the damage will depend, in part, on the angle and speed at which you were hit. While some trunk damage may be obvious, you’ll also want to watch out for lock mechanism issues, seal and moisture issues, and the possibility of the trunk lid opening unexpectedly.
Electrical System Damage
Even minor accidents can loosen wires, which could impact your vehicle’s sound system or cause your battery to stop working, preventing your car from starting. This is another example of hidden damage that could seriously impact your vehicle’s ability to function.
Broken Glass
If you’ve suffered from even a small crack in your windshield, it’s important to take care of it right away. Not only can a cracked windshield create a driving hazard, but in modern vehicles, it can also impact other features such as your heads-up display and backup cameras.
Rust
You might not think those small scratches left on your car after a fender-bender are a big deal, but this could cause the paint to wear away over time. Eventually, the exposure of the bare metal to the elements will lead to a build-up of rust. Not only is this unsightly but it can also weaken your car’s frame over the long term.
Visit the Collision Experts at The Haus
No matter what type of collision damage you have, the experts at The Haus can quickly bring your BMW or MINI back to its former glory. We’re happy to give you a low-cost inspection and provide you with a fair and honest estimate for any necessary repairs. Contact us today to schedule your VIP appointment.