Scratch, dent or crash damage: what to fix and what can wait
Not every scrape is urgent, but some eat through the panel in one winter. How to tell them apart in two minutes.
When someone sends us a photo, the first question is almost never «how much?». It is «is this serious?». We can often give you an initial view, because with bodywork the size of the damage is only part of the picture. One of the first things to check is whether the paint has been breached.
The fingernail test
Run your nail lightly across the scratch. If it glides over, the mark may be limited to the clear coat and could respond well to polishing. If your nail catches, the damage may be deeper, but this test cannot, by itself, tell you exactly which layer has been affected. A dull grey or metallic-looking line may indicate exposed metal.
That difference matters. Bare metal can corrode, particularly in humid or salty conditions, but there is no fixed timetable: humidity, salt and the condition of the area all play a part. If corrosion develops and the paint starts to lift, the repair may involve sanding, treating and rebuilding the affected area, rather than simply painting over it.
Dents with the paint intact
A car park knock that pushes the panel in without breaking the paint may be a good candidate for paintless dent repair. If the panel can be reached from behind, the dent may be worked out without repainting. In suitable cases, this preserves the original factory paint and can be preferable to a respray.
It does not work everywhere: on an edge, a body crease or stretched aluminium, conventional panel and paint work may be needed. But it is worth asking before assuming that half a door has to be painted.
What is actually urgent
- Visible rust, especially if it is spreading or lifting the paint. It may continue to develop. - Headlights with water or condensation inside: these may reduce visibility or affect the projection of the light. They are not automatically an ITV failure, but they can be a problem if they affect the headlight’s condition, operation or light projection. - A bumper that sits loose after an impact. The cause could be damaged clips, fixings, brackets or other supports, so it needs checking. - Doors that no longer close as they did, or gaps between panels that used to be even. This needs investigation, but it does not prove structural damage: hinges, locks, fixings or alignment may also be responsible.
What can wait
A fine clear-coat scratch, a scuff on plastic trim or a small dent in a flat area may be reasonable to postpone if there is no exposed metal, sharp edge or safety concern. If money is tight this month, these are often the first things to put off. We will say so openly when we see the car: there is no point painting a door today if the real problem is a sill starting to rust.
How to know without coming in
Take three photos: the whole car, the whole panel, and one from a hand’s distance, in daylight without direct sun. That will usually give us an initial idea of whether the paint has been breached and whether the panel is deformed. Send them on WhatsApp and we can outline the likely options and an indicative price range before you decide whether to bring the car in.