Did you park your car on the street overnight, only to wake up and see some scratches or dents on your bumper?

Were you recently involved in a minor accident that didn’t require any major repairs, but you’re bothered by a dent or a scrape on your bumper?

You may think you need to spend money on a bumper replacement. Think again. You can probably save money on a bumper repair.

Read on the find out which is best for you.

Cracks

Do you have an unsightly crack in your bumper from a minor accident? These are not uncommon. Even bumping into an object at low speed can cause them.

You can repair bumper cracks. Any reliable auto body technician recommends car bumper replacement for cracks.

The reason why cracks result in replacement are safety issues. Should you get into another accident, your cracked bumper will not provide the protection you need.

Dents

Dents from minor bumps or accidents are often repairable. An experienced technician will be able to pull out and repair a small bumper dent at an inexpensive cost.

These repairable dents are only a few inches long and wide. Any larger dents or widespread denting requires a bumper cover replacement.

Either way, any bumper dent could mean structural damage. Don’t delay on repair or replacement.

Scratches

Scratches without any structural damage can be repaired.

Surface level paint scratches can either be buffed out at home with a little know-how, or by any auto body shop at an inexpensive rate.

Scratches are almost always resolved without a full front bumper replacement or rear bumper replacement.

Faulty Connections

If your bumper is loose, damaged connection points are the culprit. In these cases, repair is not recommended.

Should you notice your bumper falling loose, or if you have to push your bumper into place before you drive, your car is a candidate for bumper replacement.

These faulty connections can result in increased injury if you’re involved in a major accident. They can also fly off while you’re driving, leaving you liable for the damage to another car or worse.

If your bumper is loose, consult a bumper replacement cost estimator, and get it replaced as soon as possible.

Major Accidents

Sometimes looks deceive. If your vehicle experienced a major accident, but some parts appear to be intact, there may be underlying damage.

If your car bumper has a dent or a crack from a major accident, there may be damage to the frame. Removing and replacing the existing bumper is the only way to discover a bent, cracked, or twisted frame.

Bumper Replacement vs. Repair

The cost of bumper replacement can vary depending on vehicle make, model, and labor.

There are instances like scratches or dents where repair is a more affordable option.

If there is damage to your vehicle’s front or rear bumper, don’t delay taking it to the shop. Driving with a damaged bumper is not safe for your or your passengers.

If you’re in need of bumper or other auto body repair, contact us for a free quote today.

The U.S. Scrap metal industry is worth over $18.3 billion. You wouldn’t think that from visiting a salvage yard, would you?

If you have a car that has reached its expiration date, read on. Here are 5 things you need to know before scrapping a car.

1. Your Car’s Current Value

The most important thing you need to know before scrapping a car is what the car is worth right now.

Check your car’s value in the Kelley Blue Book value. However, if your car needs repairs, that estimate will not be accurate.

2. You Need to Transfer the Title

Many people mistakenly assume they can just sell the car to a scrapyard just like that. But many states require you to transfer the title to the salvage yard

If you don’t, you could be liable because technically you still own the car.

If you don’t have the title, visit your DMV to get it replaced.

3. Check if The Salvage Yard Is Licensed

Again, in many states, junk car dealers can’t legally do business without a license. Be safe and work with a dealer who is licensed.

Don’t just take their word for it. Ask for their license number and verify it with your state.

Let’s say that the dealer refuses to pay you the full amount at the end of the deal. Without a license, you have no way to make a valid claim against the dealer.

4. Know the Most Valuable Parts

It’s a good idea to know most valuable parts on a car to scrap. That way you can be sue to get a good price from the salvage yard.

Yet, if the price the yard offers isn’t stellar and is just for the scrap metal, you can remove the most valuable parts that you can sell to other dealers or customers.

If you aren’t a mechanic, you will want to contact a reputable repair shop to remove these components from your car.

These are the components that are most valuable in your car:

• GPS system
• Exhaust systems
• Catalytic converters
• Fenders
• Car doors and windows
• Electrical components
• Bumpers
• Batteries
• Cooling system
• Air bags
• Windshield wiper arms
• Tires and rims
• Truck hatch
• Audio system
• Motor oil & filters

Knowing these valuable parts brings us to our next tip.

5. Scrapping a Car for the Best Price

Even if your car is good for nothing but scrap metal, you want to get the most money for it.

You should get quotes from a few salvage yards to see which one is the best option. There may only be a small difference in prices or it could be significant.

Either way, it’s worth your time to make sure the price you agree to is fair to you.

Repair or Scrap?

Thanks for reading. We hope these 5 things to know about scrapping a car are useful to you. If you aren’t sure if scrapping is the right choice, consider repairs.

Limerick Auto Body is a full-service collision repair facility. Why not get a second opinion from us?

You might find that repairing your car is worthwhile. Contact us today.