Got Rear-Ended
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
Got Rear-Ended
At a stop light, a small SUV hit my 49 day old E450 Wagon, just a tap, really. No one hurt, no visible damage. Driver said I should have it checked out and admitted responsibility.
But, what should I do. It's possible something structural got bent or damaged, but I think that's doubtful. Then I got to thinking about the sensors and such. What do you think? Should I have it checked out (I think so). Where? (MB dealer might note accident and want to disavow responsibility later?) I don't want to report it to insurance (we both have State Farm) unless there is significant damage and driver or insurance refuses to pay, as they may be no damage at all. Should I walk around it, be sure it beeps when getting close and such? What other sensors or concerns might there be? What should I check?
But, what should I do. It's possible something structural got bent or damaged, but I think that's doubtful. Then I got to thinking about the sensors and such. What do you think? Should I have it checked out (I think so). Where? (MB dealer might note accident and want to disavow responsibility later?) I don't want to report it to insurance (we both have State Farm) unless there is significant damage and driver or insurance refuses to pay, as they may be no damage at all. Should I walk around it, be sure it beeps when getting close and such? What other sensors or concerns might there be? What should I check?
Out Of Control!!
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Did you file a police report and call your insurance carrier? Things are pretty smooth with those two agencies, regarding collisions.
What is your objection to reporting it to State Farm?
What is your objection to reporting it to State Farm?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
If there is no visible damage pretty unlikely anything got messed up. If you have Distronic Cruise control make sure the lane change assist still works. When my last car got hit in the rear a sensor was messed up on the left rear and the lane change assist did not work when changing lanes to the left. If it were me I'd have the car put up on lift at a tire store or somewhere that has a lift and personally look at the car underneath especially around the bumper. Slip the mgr a 20 or something for putting the car up on the lift and allowing you to look at it. Or, you could have a mercedes authorized auto body shop check out the car. They would not be reporting anything. Just checking it out. Sounds like you should be fine though, glad it was not worse.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
No police report. No insurance. Because if it were me that hit someone (did the same thing about 20 years ago), and the repairs were not ridiculous, I'd rather pay for it myself than report it to the insurance company. Woman that hit me was sorry, and with any other car I'd have said "thanks" and just left. If there's no damage, that's a ding against her and her insurance, for nothing.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,708
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
It's your call then.
You report no visible damage - are you satisfied with the cosmetic appearance?
Have you run through all the systems on your vehicle to be sure they function? Backup camera, parking sensors, power liftgate, rear lights, heated rear glass, rear wiper? Check everything.
You report no visible damage - are you satisfied with the cosmetic appearance?
Have you run through all the systems on your vehicle to be sure they function? Backup camera, parking sensors, power liftgate, rear lights, heated rear glass, rear wiper? Check everything.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 298
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2019 GLC300, 2017 E300
Does everything look and work as normal? No scratches whatsoever? take a close look, try backing up and make sure the sensors go off. You could have it scanned for codes at the dealer and see if there is any failure from any of the sensors -
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Perth Australia
12 C200, 12 C180, 10 Fuso Warrior crew cab, 08 RTV ute, 05 Smart Fortwo cabrio, 09 Smart Fortwo
I work in the panel repair industry, even though it may not look like anything is damaged, there may be damage behind the plastic bumper as they are designed to spring back into shape from low impact.
I have seen plenty of cars that look fine, not even a scratch to the bumper, only to have bent reinforcements and beaver panel damage when the bumper is removed, it might have been low enough impact that it might be ok, but I would have it checked just in case.
Just get under it and have a good look around, tell tail signs are broken clips etc, even if you remove a few clips or screws to have a look, you will be able to tell if something does not look right.
I have seen plenty of cars that look fine, not even a scratch to the bumper, only to have bent reinforcements and beaver panel damage when the bumper is removed, it might have been low enough impact that it might be ok, but I would have it checked just in case.
Just get under it and have a good look around, tell tail signs are broken clips etc, even if you remove a few clips or screws to have a look, you will be able to tell if something does not look right.
Last edited by prktkljokr; Feb 25, 2020 at 09:06 AM.
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I'm with @prktkljokr on this one
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
Took it to the body shop local Mercedes dealer uses. They found no signs of damage. Center rear sensors are /below/ the bumper, rather than in them, and going through a car wash, all sensors worked. Auto lane change works fine as does backup camera, all parking sensors, power liftgate, rear lights and rear wiper. Couldn't easily check the rear defogger, but doubt there's a problem there. Had car washed and check rear thoroughly, can see no scratches or other problem signs.
I think I'm fine.
I think I'm fine.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Took it to the body shop local Mercedes dealer uses. They found no signs of damage. Center rear sensors are /below/ the bumper, rather than in them, and going through a car wash, all sensors worked. Auto lane change works fine as does backup camera, all parking sensors, power liftgate, rear lights and rear wiper. Couldn't easily check the rear defogger, but doubt there's a problem there. Had car washed and check rear thoroughly, can see no scratches or other problem signs.
I think I'm fine.
I think I'm fine.
For all kinds of reasons I think that you are making a good move. Not the least of which is you won't have an accident claim against your car on carfax. That and the good karma for the way you dealt with the other driver. A lot of people with a new Mercedes would not have been so gracious or level headed. Good on you.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Feb 25, 2020 at 10:20 PM.
