The Dangers of Delaying Dent Repairs on your Car

River North Collision Repair • August 23, 2024

A car owner examines a large dent on their car. The dent is located at the rear of the car on the driver’s side.

After years of use, it’s natural for your car to accumulate dings and dents. Many car owners tend to overlook small imperfections on their cars, but delaying repairs can lead to issues down the road. As you document those dents on your car, learn more about the dangers of delaying dent repairs on your car and the benefits of fixing them early.

The Impact of Delay

Unattended damage to the exterior of your car can lead to structural damage. Tiny imperfections can chip away at paint, exposing the metal beneath to moisture and salt. These elements could corrode your car and cause further damage to its exterior.

As dents sit and accumulate, the cost to repair rises. Minor fixes can escalate into costly repairs if the corrosion sets in. Save yourself the extra damage and repairs by addressing these dents early.

Common Types of Dents

Damage to your car can occur naturally through harsh weather or from more severe circumstances. Here are some common types of dents you could find over years of driving.

Door Dings

Door dings are some of the most common types of dents and usually occur in parking lots when you open your car door and hit an obstacle. They also show up when a car door hits the side of your car. While dings might seem minor, they can lead to paint damage and rust if left untreated.

Hail Damage

Hail damage results in multiple small dents across the surface of your car and accumulates over time. If you live in Illinois, it’s important to schedule hail damage car repair in Chicago to fix dents before they cause more problems.

Collision Dents

Collision dents result from accidents and are typically large and severe. They could damage your car’s structure and cause further complications. Take immediate action to avoid compromising the vehicle’s structural integrity.

Benefits of Addressing Dents Early

When you delay dent repairs on your car, you miss out on the benefits of addressing it early, such as maintaining your car’s value. If you plan to sell your car, fixing dents saves the car’s value so it does not diminish too much over time.

Repairing dents also protects the structural integrity of the car and ensures it can handle collisions in severe accidents. Protect yourself and your car by scheduling those dent repairs now!

Beyond the immediate visual appeal, addressing these issues promptly can save you money, maintain your vehicle’s value, and protect you from severe collisions. Reap the benefits of repairing your car early, and combat damage from harsh weather. Don’t delay if your car has dents—schedule a repair today!

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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.