A Brief Look at the Most Common Types of Bumper Damage

River North Collision Repair • June 5, 2024

A small white sedan that was just recently in an accident. The front bumper is horribly dented and cracked.

Bumpers are one of the most essential parts of your vehicle. They serve the purpose of absorbing shocks when you’re in a collision, which can help protect your vehicle’s structure. However, if you’re driving around with a damaged bumper, you’re putting yourself and your vehicle at risk. River North Collision Repair is here to help with a brief look at the most common types of bumper damage and what they can mean for your vehicle.

Scratches and Scrapes

The most frequent and minor type of bumper damage includes scratches and scrapes. These typically occur from everyday driving scenarios such as brushing against a parking lot post, minor fender benders, or a run-in with a rogue shopping cart. While this type of damage may seem purely cosmetic, it can lead to more severe issues if left untreated.

Scratches expose the underlying material to the elements, which can result in rust and deterioration over time. Promptly addressing these superficial damages with touch-up paint or professional buffing can prevent further degradation.

Dents and Dings

You can’t look at the most common types of bumper damage without acknowledging dents and dings. Dents are some of the worst types of damage and they can occur from accidentally bumping into a curb or getting into a full-on collision with another car. They’re some of the most severe types of damage and are always worth repairing as soon as possible.

While you might be able to fix small dents with a DIY kit from your local hardware or auto parts store, significant dents are best left to a professional. Failure to attend to these issues promptly can affect the bumper's ability to absorb shocks in future collisions, compromising vehicle safety.

Cracks and Splits

Cracks and splits represent the most serious type of bumper damage. High-impact collisions, either from rear-end accidents or hitting a stationary object at speed, usually cause these types of damage. Cracks can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the bumper, rendering it ineffective in protecting the vehicle and its occupants. Splits may also expand over time due to vibration and stress, leading to the eventual failure of the bumper.

Immediate professional assessment and repair are crucial for this type of damage. In some cases, you may just need to replace the entire bumper in order to maintain safety when it comes to your vehicle.

At River North Collision Repair, we specialize in body repair, including car front bumper repair , ensuring your car looks as good as new and is safe for the road after an accident. Our experienced professionals use cutting-edge techniques and equipment to address all types of bumper damage. To learn more about our services, contact us anytime to schedule an appointment. Trust River North Collision Repair to keep your vehicle in prime condition.

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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.