Bumper Repairs in Tyne and Wear

A bumper takes the first knock in most low-speed incidents, from car park scrapes to reversing into a post. Because the outer cover is plastic, damage often looks worse or better than it really is. A deep scuff may be cosmetic only, while a small crack can mean the fixings behind it have broken.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we repair bumpers as part of our accident and body repair work. This page explains how we look at damage, what the choice between repair and replacement depends on, and what you can reasonably expect.

Signs a bumper needs attention

Some damage is obvious, such as a split or a bumper hanging loose. Other signs are easier to miss and worth checking after any knock, even one you thought was minor.

• Cracks, splits or holes in the cover
• Gaps that are uneven where the bumper meets the wing or body
• A sagging or loose corner
• Scuffs that have gone through the paint to bare plastic
• Parking sensors or cameras that no longer work properly

Repair or replace

Scuffs, scratches and shallow gouges are usually repairable by filling, sanding and repainting. Small cracks and some splits can often be repaired too, though that depends on where the crack is and how the plastic has failed.

Replacement tends to make more sense when the cover is badly shattered, when mounting tabs are broken in several places or when the bumper has been distorted. We will not know which route applies until we have seen it, so we do not promise a repair beforehand.

What drives the cost and the finish

Cost depends on whether the bumper is repaired or replaced, how large the damaged area is, and how much paint work follows. A new bumper normally arrives primed, so it still needs painting to match your car. Metallic and pearl colours take more care to match than plain ones.

Sensors, cameras, headlight washers and trim fitted to the bumper all add work, because they must be removed and refitted or recalibrated. Ask us at the estimate whether any of these affect your car. We explain the full picture before work begins.

Check what is behind the bumper

Behind the cover sits a reinforcing beam and an energy absorber, and these are what actually protect the car in an impact. If the knock was more than a scuff, we look at these as well as the visible damage. Bent brackets or a compressed absorber should be dealt with properly even when the outer cover looks tidy.

If the incident was an insurance matter, tell us so, because the repair may need agreement before we start.