Keep an eye out for these seemingly incidental damages that could cause significant problems within your vehicle.
When it comes to cars, it’s not always the apparent damage that causes a vehicle to fail. Even minor damage can cause major problems in your car. We’ve compiled a few examples of things to look out for after slight collisions or accidents.
Even small scratches and minor dents could lead to bigger and more expensive failures for your vehicle in the future. Keep an eye out for these damages and have them repaired promptly to avoid further damaging your car.
Vehicle Misalignment
Vehicle misalignment is one of the most common aftereffects of even minor collisions. From the outside, everything may seem straightforward, but there are many symptoms of a wheel misalignment while driving, including the following.
- Vehicle pulling to one side
- Shaky steering
- Wheel vibrations
- Squealing tires
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms while driving, get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. Driving a car with misaligned tires can severely damage its suspension, brakes, and other components.
Bumper Dent
If you get in a fender bender and your bumper has a dent, that’s no problem, right? In reality, a damaged bumper can mask significant issues in a vehicle and compromise the car’s safety while driving.
A bumper absorbs energy in a collision to prevent damage to the vehicle’s frame, but if it’s already damaged, it can’t adequately protect the car, you, or your passengers. Determine whether you should have your bumper repaired or replaced immediately after a collision to avoid further risk.
Exterior Scratches
Have you ever noticed a scratch on your car that appeared out of practically nowhere? Many people assume cosmetic damage from scratches isn’t a big deal, but they can threaten the health of your vehicle.
A scratch that penetrates a car’s paint job is like a puncture of the vehicle’s protective coating layer. Dust, dirt, water, humidity, and salt can enter and cause rust or corrosion within this puncture. Don’t wait to fix a scratch—have it checked out and repaired sooner rather than later.
Faulty Electrical System
Today, cars have so many electrical systems and wires that it’s almost like a computer on four wheels. The problem for drivers is that it’s difficult to tell when the system is faulty from the outside.
After even the most minor accidents, double-check that the headlights, taillights, and turn signals are still working and no wires have come loose. It’s wise to have a professional look at the electrical system to ensure the collision did not sever any wires or connections.
You may not think that a minor fender bender is a big deal, but as you can see, even the most minor damage can cause major car problems. Don’t take your vehicle’s safety for granted after a collision—take your vehicle to professionals to ensure little bumps and scrapes don’t lead to something more severe down the road.