Is it worth having a body shop check rear bumper after minor collision?
09-14-2018, 10:36 PM
#1
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2012 E350 Sport, P1, AMG Wheels, Multi-contour seats
Is it worth having a body shop check rear bumper after minor collision?
I was rear-ended a few days ago during stop-and-go traffic. Headrests deployed. Rear bumper looks slightly damaged on the surface. There are two or three slightly bent areas - not noticeable from a distance. I wonder though if I should be concerned about any damage beneath the bumper cover even though it looks okay on the surface. Should I really bother? Thanks.
09-14-2018, 10:41 PM
#2
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2014 E550-sold 😩
Yes, I would pull the cover if it were my car.
09-15-2018, 03:35 PM
#3
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Yes. I was rear-ended in similar manner and body shop replaced $3k in unseen damages. Mostly support/safety hardware, not frame and a bit of repair to the bumper cover. Since it was the other driver’s fault, I paid zero $$$ and received full peace of mind.
09-15-2018, 09:25 PM
#4
My girl had a lady lightly scratch her bumper cover and offered to pay cash to fix it. I talked to a shop and they sprayed it for a crazy cheap price if I would remove it, disassemble all pieces and bring the cover only to them. Taking it off was easy with videos online. The only quirks were a special long socket for trunk bolts and unhooking it from the sides was tricky.
Once removed you will see the inside hard bracing that is likely damaged on yours.
Once removed you will see the inside hard bracing that is likely damaged on yours.
09-16-2018, 07:38 PM
#6
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14 550 sedan
Headrests deployed I don't believe will indicate a hard hit. Shops can reset it back in place within minutes. If you didn't care for the cosmetic damages, or you live in an area where you're prone to bumper dings, you could always have the insurance company inspect damages, then cash out on the repairs. Otherwise just have their insurance fix everything, no cost to you anyways.
If it were my car, I'd fix it just because I don't have any damage to my car. If the damages look minimal and you're okay with it, I'd first slide under the rear bumper, inspect the impact bar and rear body panel for anything out of place or damage, then decide to repair or not from there. Repairing a scratch on a bumper is easily $800+ depending on location. Regardless of yes or no to repair, I'd still contact the other party's insurance.
If it were my car, I'd fix it just because I don't have any damage to my car. If the damages look minimal and you're okay with it, I'd first slide under the rear bumper, inspect the impact bar and rear body panel for anything out of place or damage, then decide to repair or not from there. Repairing a scratch on a bumper is easily $800+ depending on location. Regardless of yes or no to repair, I'd still contact the other party's insurance.
