Why Bodywork and Mechanical Damage Often Go Together After a Collision

What sits behind the bumper

Modern bumpers are mostly a thin cover. Behind them are crash bars, brackets, the radiator and condenser, parking sensors, cameras and wiring. A low-speed knock can crack a bracket or bend a mounting without leaving much outward sign.

When a bumper is removed for repair, the technician can inspect all of this properly. It is a good moment to check for leaks, cracked pipes and anything that looks pushed out of line.

Light units are another common casualty. A headlight can look intact but have broken tabs behind it, meaning it sits loose and vibrates, or lets water in. It is worth checking that everything is secure, not just that it lights up.

• Radiator, condenser and cooling pipes
• Crash bars and mounting brackets
• Parking sensors and cameras
• Headlight mountings and wiring

Cooling and air conditioning components

At the front of most cars the radiator and air conditioning condenser sit close together just behind the grille. A modest impact can dent or crack either. A coolant leak can lead to overheating, and a damaged air-con condenser can lose its gas.

If you notice a sweet smell, a temperature gauge rising, or steam after a collision, stop driving and get the car checked. Overheating can do serious damage to an engine very quickly.

Even if nothing appears to be leaking straight away, ask for the cooling system and the air-con components to be looked at. Small cracks can weep slowly, and a problem that begins after a repair is much more frustrating than one found while the car is already apart.

Suspension, steering and tracking

If a wheel has struck a kerb or another vehicle, the suspension arms, steering parts, driveshafts and the wheel itself can all be affected. Even if nothing looks bent, the geometry can be out. The tell-tale signs are the car pulling to one side, a steering wheel that sits off-centre, or uneven wear on a tyre.

After impact damage, tracking and four-wheel alignment are worth checking. Wheel straightening may be an option for a bent alloy, depending on the damage, but a cracked wheel needs assessing carefully.

A tyre can tell the story too. Look for scuffing on the inner or outer edge, cuts or bulges in the sidewall, and a wheel that looks as though it sits at a slightly different angle to the others. A bulge or cut in a tyre means it should not be used, and you should not drive on it.

Sensors, cameras and warning lights

Many cars now rely on sensors and cameras for parking, braking assistance and other systems. If a bumper or mirror has been disturbed, these can be left misaligned or damaged. A warning light after a collision is worth having investigated with a diagnostic check, rather than ignored.

Wiring is another quiet casualty. A pinched or chafed wire might only cause a fault later, so a thorough look at the area is sensible before panels are refitted.

Reversing cameras and dash cameras are often mounted in or near areas that take knocks. If one has stopped working or the picture looks wrong, ask for it to be checked at the same time as the bodywork.

Why one workshop doing both helps

When the body repairer and the mechanic are in the same building, the findings can be shared quickly. If the panel beater spots a bent bracket or a weeping hose, someone who can assess and repair it is a few steps away, so the car is not shuttled between businesses.

At Banks of the Tyne we offer coachworks and mechanical repairs under one roof, which suits collision work where the full picture only appears as the car is taken apart. Whatever workshop you use, ask whether the mechanical side will be checked as well as the cosmetic.

Frequently asked questions