4 Most Common Causes of Dents in Your Car

Tony Mers • June 13, 2024

A standard gray sedan with a noticeable dent in the rear passenger side door. It may require professional repair.

Few things are more frustrating than discovering there’s a new dent on your car, and you may experience everything from slight irritation to complete frustration. While some dents are unavoidable, understanding their common causes can help you take preventive measures. Here are four of the most common causes of dents in your car and what you might be able to do about them.

Parking Lot Perils

One of the worst experiences you can encounter is walking out to a public parking lot and discovering a brand-new dent. Maybe the person next to you opened their door too hard, or maybe someone lost control of their shopping cart. There’s not a whole lot you can do to prevent this type of dent except perhaps park as far away from crowded areas as possible. That’s not always an option when you’re in a big city, so just keep an eye out for those dents and treat them when they occur.

Accidental Impacts

One of the most common causes of dents in your car is also the most frustrating. Sometimes we bring dents upon ourselves. Whether you misjudge the distance between the front or back of your car or fail to see that barrier over your car’s hood, you may bump into something. This can leave a nasty dent in your vehicle. All you can do to avoid these is drive as cautiously as possible and pay close attention to your surroundings.

High-Speed Highway Hazards

Sometimes you can be cruising down the highway or another busy road, and the vehicle in front of you can kick up some small objects. You don’t always have time to get out of the way, and these objects may cause dents or crack your windshield. The best way to avoid this type of damage is to drive defensively and leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you to try and give yourself time to react.

Harsh Weather Conditions

Depending on where you live, you may have to deal with the threat of Mother Nature. They may not come up too often, but hailstorms can significantly damage your vehicle’s body and result in some nasty dents. The best way to prevent hailstorm damage is to park your vehicle under a roof in a garage or carport. If that’s not an option, you can invest in a tarp or tent to try and protect your vehicle during a potential hailstorm.

If you need help with hail damage repair in Chicago , let River North Collision Repair take care of things for you. We specialize in removing dents and restoring your car to its pristine condition. Whether it's a minor ding or more extensive damage, our experienced technicians use the latest techniques and technology to ensure a flawless repair. Stop by today to get an estimate on your vehicle, or contact us online to learn more about the services we offer.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Mail

Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.