If you’re a newbie car owner, here’s one thing you should know: your car will get damaged, one way or another. It’s an inevitable truth no matter how careful you are. After all, your car is just another vehicle that gets exposed to the daily wear and tear of the road. But by knowing the types of car damages you may possibly face, you can eventually find ways to minimize the risk.
Whether you’re driving a trusty Ford truck or sporting a fancy Porsche, you’re not invincible from at least one trip to a collision repair center. But the good thing is you can try to avoid it anytime soon with the help of this post.
Common types of car damage
Whatever it is, no driver would want to face car damage. It’s an added expense – and worry – especially if the damage is due to an accident. Still, the key here is preparation and being armed with information about possible car damage and how you can avoid it.
Below are the most common reasons why car owners like you end up in a car repair center:
1. Body Damage
Body damage is the most common problem auto shops deal with. The good thing is that it’s usually the easiest, fastest, and most affordable to fix.
Here are the most typical types of car body damage and how it happens:
- Scratches. Car scratches can either be superficial or deep through the paint. It can be due to dirt roads, haphazard car washing, or parking lot pitfalls. It’s important that you get this fixed immediately as the exposed metal may start to rust.
- Dents. Your car’s body may get dented due to hail, falling branches, or a rogue shopping cart in the parking lot. Depending on its severity, it can be popped back into place using paintless dent repair.
- Paint Damage. Your car’s paint isn’t meant to last forever, but it’s not supposed to get damaged easily. Still, you should expect chipping, peeling, and fading to set in, especially if you’ve been driving the car for years.
- Rust. For an object made heavily of metal, rust is the number one enemy. Your car may suffer from corrosion if it’s repeatedly exposed to road salt, harsh chemicals, or poor maintenance.
- Cracked Windshield. Your car’s windshield is your first line of defense against outdoor elements while driving. However, flying debris, pebbles, rocks, ad falling objects can easily crack or shatter this auto glass.
So how can you prevent body damage? It’s all about the right balance between careful driving, proper maintenance, and checking road conditions before you go for a ride. This way, you won’t need a car body repair.
2. Mechanical and Structural Damage
After a fender-bender, your car will surely sustain different types of car accident damages. It goes beyond the visual damage, which means it’s more complicated and expensive to fix.
If you choose to keep driving with these damages, you’re literally putting your – and your passengers’ life – at risk.
However, you should note that these types of damages do not only occur after an accident. It can also be a result of natural wear and tear after years of use.
- Engine Problems. The engine is the very heart of your vehicle. It’s a powerhouse that keeps your car moving. Due to the heavy load, issues like overheating, leaks, and malfunctions can happen over time.
- Transmission Failure. When your car sustains transmission problems, it won’t be able to shift gears smoothly. Worse, it will totally fail to get your car moving.
- Suspension Damage. Your car’s suspension serves as a shock absorber, so you’ll have a smooth ride even on less ideal road conditions. But along the way, the springs and dampers will give in to wear and tear, causing problems like poor handling or a bumpy feeling.
- Brake System Failure. Of all the mechanical damage that could happen to your car, this is probably the scariest. A failing brake system is something you wouldn’t want to have in the middle of the road.
- Exhaust System Issues. This problem can be due to accumulated debris or soot buildup on your exhaust pipe. If not cleaned up, it will start to emit harmful emissions, which can get you in trouble with the law.
Overall, mechanical and structural damage to your car can be minimized but not fully avoided. After all, the internal parts of your car do so much work and will require repairs or replacements at some point.
3. Collision-Related Damage
Collisions are scary, overwhelming, and most of all, expensive. Depending on the extent of the accident, your car may have to stay in a repair shop for several days to weeks. This is often due to the following types of damages in a car accident:
- Front-End Damage. Your car will sustain this damage after a head-on collision where you hit a stationary vehicle or object. When this happens, your hood will be crumped, your bumper will be smashed, and your headlights could be busted.
- Rear-End Damage. If you’re one who got hit by another car from the rear, your exhaust and fuel system may get compromised. The same goes for your rear bumper and trunk.
- Side-Impact Damage. If the point of impact is the side of your car, expect damages on your car door, side panels, wheels, and tires. Your car suspension may also get messed up in the process.
- Frame Damage. Many cases of collisions are high-impact, which can shake and twist your vehicle’s frame. You may need frame alignment or straightening to restore its structural integrity.
- Airbag Deployment. During a collision, your car’s airbag will deploy to protect you and the passengers from injuries. This will have to be replaced before you can drive your car again.
As for prevention, defensive driving is the best way to go. Always be attentive when you’re on the road and avoid using your phone, eating, or any distraction that can increase your risk of accidents. Aside from that, make sure that your car is in good condition, so you’ll have full control while driving.
4. Water Damage
Water damage is not often brought up when talking about car damage. Still, it can be a big problem since it can damage – or even total – your vehicle. Usually, water damage happens due to severe flooding, heavy rainstorms, and simply improper maintenance that allows water to seep through.
Whatever it is, water damage can cause the following:
- Interior Flooding. When water gets inside your car, it will soak your carpet and all electrical components. This will cause widespread damage and mold growth, which requires intensive repairs.
- Engine hydrolock. This happens when water gets into your vehicle’s engine through the intake system. This will result in severe internal damage and possibly ruin the entire engine beyond repair.
- Corroded Electrical Components. Moisture is the leading cause of rust. And if it gets in your car’s electrical components, corrosion will set. This will lead to malfunctions on your lights sensors, lights, ignition, and more.
- Body rusting. If your car got submerged in water for too long, its body will start to get rusty. This will directly weaken its structural integrity, which may not be reversible in some cases.
The best way to prevent this kind of damage to your car is to ensure that your sunroofs and windows are sealed. Also, be smart about where you park your car, especially if you live in a flood-prone area.
How to Prevent Damage to Your Car
If you don’t want to add up to your car damage history, prevention is the key. Here are some of the measures you can take to keep your ride safe:
- Regular Maintenance. We suggest following your car manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Whether it’s a simple oil change or routine checks, it pays to be proactive to avoid long-term damage to your vehicle.
- Safe Driving Practices. Always be a responsible driver to avoid getting into another fender-bender. You should observe speed limits and avoid any aggressive driving habits.
- Parking Considerations. You should always consider the weather conditions and possible risks when choosing an area for parking. Make sure it’s safe from harsh elements and undesirable activities like vandalism or theft.
- Proper Cleaning Techniques. Improper cleaning habits can cause scratches on your car. This is why you should always refer to your owner’s manual and use only the right cleaning products.
- Tire Maintenance. Make it a habit to check your car’s tire pressure before going for a drive. This way, you’ll have a safe ride, especially in rainy or snowy conditions.
- Avoid Deep Puddles. If it’s rainy, be careful of deep puddles where the water may get into the internal components of your car. Also, these puddles may also be potholes that can give your suspension a serious beating.
Conclusion
Car damage is every driver’s nightmare. It spells additional expenses and possible risks while on the road.
But while some vehicle damages are inevitable, there are many ways to delay it. You can achieve this through regular inspections and proper driving habits.
And in case your vehicle sustains damages, you should go to a professional repair shop. They know how to assess damage to a car and the right way to fix it.
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