Car Body Damage FAQs

We hope we never see your car in our body shop.

Unfortunately, accidents happen. As many as 43 percent of first-year drivers and 37 percent of second-year drivers will get into accidents.

If you’re ever in a fender-bender, you’ll need to bring it to a good body shop.

What are the main types of car body damage?

The main types of car body damage include dents, scratches (paint damage), rear-end damage, front-end damage, and frame damage.

Dents or dings are usually small indentations caused by small objects like hail, shopping carts, or other driver’s doors.

Scratches or paint damage might happen due to your keys, animal claws, or another car door in a parking lot.

Rear-end damage is common due to accidents on the road where people don’t stop on time or don’t pay attention. Body shop specialists will look for frame damage as they work to rebuild your vehicle’s cargo area.

Front-end damage is costly beyond just the hood, bumper, grill, or headlights. If your engine suffers extensive damage along with the body, your vehicle might face costly repairs.

Frame damage is the most troublesome body damage for your vehicle. Although not necessarily the case for every vehicle with frame damage, insurance adjusters will total out a car with frame damage because it’s nearly impossible to repair a frame fully to make the car drivable. Once the frame is compromised, it’s time for a new car.

How do I know the severity of my car body damage?

Look for three classifications of car body damage.

These are:

Minor damage. These are scratches and minor dings. This is cosmetic damage, but you still need to take care of it because it could lead to rust.

Moderate damage. You’ll see moderate car body damage when it impairs the normal operation of your vehicle. Damage to the hood, headlights, taillights, doors, or fenders is considered moderate damage. For example, you can’t turn on a headlight or a door doesn’t open properly. 

Severe damage. Severe body damage happens when the structural frame is bent, making the vehicle unsafe or impossible to drive.

What are the common causes of car body damage?

There are four major factors involved in car body damage:

1. Weather, such as hail or falling tree branches.
2. High-speed collisions on the highway or between a moving vehicle and a stopped vehicle.
3. Fender benders, or minor accidents between cars moving slowly.
4. Negligence, such as when a driver doesn’t pay attention when backing up into a pole or fence.

How much does car body damage repair cost?

This depends on the damage. A small dent might be $100 to $200. Other body damage might be $5,000 or more. A bumper replacement might range from $300 to $1,500 due to how easy or hard it is to find a replacement. Replacing a door could cost $50 to $1,000. 

Labor is the major factor when determining the costs for car body damage.

Who can fix my car’s body damage in Springfield, Missouri?Make an appointment with the body shop at Thompson Sales in Springfield, Missouri. We can give you an honest estimate for the repairs.