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Sometimes, going back to the basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. When it comes to straightening and repairing a vehicle back to specification, there are a few things to keep in mind.
When writing a repair plan, there are the easy-to-identify items like a damaged fender or a broken grille. However, as the force of the collision moves through the vehicle, damage often occurs to other areas of the vehicle or to particular components that are not directly part of the collision, but are affected nonetheless. This indirect damage is sometimes overlooked due to where it is located on the vehicle or on the specific part.
We saw a recent example of this where an impact to the front bumper caused a bumper-to-headlamp fastener to pierce the top of the headlamp assembly. This hole was not visible unless the headlamp was removed. In this instance, headlight removal was not necessary to replace the bumper cover, so this hole went unnoticed. Unfortunately, this hole caused issues with water entering the headlamp.
Looking for indirect damage, and thoroughly inspecting parts for hidden damage, will help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.
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Article validated in 2025