5 Dangers of Delaying Auto Body Dent Repair

Small auto body dents may seem like no big deal because you can still drive your car just fine. However, drivers who want to take the best care of their vehicle should treat dent repair as a priority. Leaving dent repairs for later can cause several problems for your vehicle, so it is a risk you just should not take. Discover five dangers of delaying auto body dent repair.

1. Higher Rust Chances

Your car's paint acts as a protective barrier to shield the metal panels of your vehicle from corrosive elements in the air. Dents can break this barrier and allow rust to take hold. Dents will rust more quickly in humid climates and in coastal areas with higher concentrations of salt in the air. Rainfall can also accelerate rust formation due to the acids and minerals in rainwater.

2. Spreading Paint Damage

Dents in your car may cause isolated paint damage at first, but the damage will gradually spread. Moisture, salt, and other minerals that penetrate your vehicle's paint barrier can cause paint around the dent to crack and flake away. Rust buildup and paint damage create a vicious cycle in which peeling paint exposes more metal and rust causes more paint to peel.

3. Reduced Collision Safety

Some auto body dents are nothing more than cosmetic damage. While they may damage paint or cause rust, the underlying metal panel is not damaged and can bend back into shape. Some dents, however, may cause structural damage that necessitates replacing the panel.

Structural dents can cause noticeable side effects when using your vehicle. Large dents can alter the aerodynamics of your vehicle and affect gas mileage or change the way it handles. You may notice that the gaps between panels are uneven. Structural dents in your door can keep it from shutting correctly or damage the window motor and other components in the door.

Structural dents are also cause for concern because they weaken the body of your vehicle. Dented panels cannot absorb and distribute shock efficiently and are more likely to cave in during a collision. Repair severe dents promptly to ensure your vehicle is as safe as possible on the road.

4. Later Costly Repairs

All of the factors mentioned above - rust, paint damage, and structural damage - often increase the costs of dent repair. Extensive rust requires labor-intensive sanding and rust treatment, and severe rust and paint damage can make solutions like paintless dent removal impractical.

The longer you drive your vehicle with a dent, the more the damage will spread. Factors such as vibration from driving, wind resistance, and sun and heat exposure will continue to deteriorate the dented area. Scheduling prompt dent repair will keep repair costs low by preventing unnecessary damage to your vehicle.

5. Reduced Resale Value

Unless you plan to be the final owner of your vehicle, the impact of dents on your vehicle's value is something to consider. Body defects such as dents certainly do have an impact on vehicle appraisal. Invest in paintless dent removal before you are ready to sell.

A dent-free vehicle often gives the impression that it has been well-maintained. Cautious buyers sometimes avoid vehicles with only minor cosmetic dents, in fear of other damage that may not be visible. Removing dents can help you sell more quickly simply by getting more eyes on your vehicle.

Repairing dents promptly is always the best decision for your car. If you want a solution to dents, scratches, or other imperfections on your vehicle, visit us at Coats Auto Body & Paint for quick and easy repairs. We look forward to helping you.