Minor damage on front bumper

**ali00** · 24-02-2014,06:58 PM

Hi all,

So I was parked up in a near enough empty car park yesterday for no more than 20 minutes. However, that was apparently enough time for someone to drive into the front of the car and then drive off again.

There isn't any major damage, but when i returned the cap for where the front of the car is towed from had been knocked out and piece of trim from the bottom of the bumper had cracked and fallen out too. The bumper itself is cracked too. The paintwork itself has survived, there were some markings on there but they came off when i wiped them (minor scratches that you can hardly see have been left behind, nothing a detail won't sort).

This is the side of the car that was hit:

image[3].jpg

Crack in the bumper:

image.jpg

Where trim has cracked from:
image[1].jpg

image[2].jpg

It was quite awkward to get a decent picture of the trim.

But what do you guys reckon the best plan of action is? Take the car to Audi?

And if so, how much do you reckon it will be in repairs. I can't imagine the whole bumper will have to be replaced for this, unless I am mistaken.

Thanks in advanced

**Passatier3** · 24-02-2014,11:26 PM

Not major damage but bad enough. Things like that make my blood boil as most damage to our cars is done by others.

I recently had my rear bumper hit which took off some of the paint and dented the trim under the bumper. Fortunately I knew who did it so claimed off their insurance.

I had it repaired via the Audi dealer's body shop and it cost over £500 the bumper having to be removed for painting.

**ali00** · 24-02-2014,11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Passatier3

Not major damage but bad enough. Things like that make my blood boil as most damage to our cars is done by others.

.

It is indeed. Only just going four months old and 2 odd thousand miles on the clock.

But I suppose these things happen! Will have to try and get a quote for repair then.

Is it safer to go through the Audi dealer body shop or could I try and save some money by going to an independent specialist?

**jk88** · 25-02-2014,08:41 AM

Originally Posted by ali00

Is it safer to go through the Audi dealer body shop or could I try and save some money by going to an independent specialist?

The Audi route will inevitably be more expensive and no guarantee of doing a better job than a local specialist, who will more likely suggest repair rather than replace. Best to get get quotes from both. If you share your location, I expect someone on this forum in the same part of the world will be able to recommend a specialist.

**Passatier3** · 25-02-2014,10:45 AM

As jk88 has said I was going to suggest getting a number of quotes.

Mine's a few months older and coming up to 5k. but for me it's still a new car and so wanted it doing via the dealer. You may be surprised at their price as they have to be competitive as dealing with insurance companies and use industry recognised rates for pricing.

But as said they will probably go for the new bumper option as you have that crack that is going to need "welding".

**pumpsmynads** · 25-02-2014,05:34 PM

I'm not sure another car could've hit that lower part of the bumper and not any other part of it first, or as well.

That to me looks like the damage when the front goes on top of a kerb when parking and it's a little too high. I've done that previously in my BM. You have that horrible feeling knowing that you have to reverse off and hear that scraping noise as the bumper moves clear. If you had the radio on you may not have noticed.

I know now it doesn't make the pain of repairing any easier.

**ali00** · 25-02-2014,09:22 PM

I'm located near Birmingham, so anywhere in the West Midlands shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The new bumper option sounds expensive *grits teeth*

& Pumpsmynads, it was definitely hit by another car, i was parked in the middle of an empty car park - not near any kerbs or anything - and when I returned there was a scuff underneath the headlight washer (with what seemed to be the other cars paint, it wiped off - did leave some small scratches behind) and the towing bracket cover had fallen out and the broken piece of trim was on the floor. I pushed it back in myself and it seems to have wedged in for the time being anyway. All pointing to it have being hit.

**Whippy53** · 25-02-2014,09:44 PM

Scrotes!.

**MFGF** · 25-02-2014,10:11 PM

It's a horrible feeling when someone damages your car and drives off like that. I am gutted for you!!

I have (finally) found a good repair shop who take pride in their work, although Newcastle-under-Lyme may be a little too far for you to travel.

I hope you manage to get it repaired to a standard you are completely satisfied with. Wishing you all the best of fortune!!

MF.

**Passatier3** · 26-02-2014,01:53 PM

Originally Posted by ali00

I'm located near Birmingham, so anywhere in the West Midlands shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The new bumper option sounds expensive *grits teeth*

& Pumpsmynads, it was definitely hit by another car, i was parked in the middle of an empty car park - not near any kerbs or anything - and when I returned there was a scuff underneath the headlight washer (with what seemed to be the other cars paint, it wiped off - did leave some small scratches behind) and the towing bracket cover had fallen out and the broken piece of trim was on the floor. I pushed it back in myself and it seems to have wedged in for the time being anyway. All pointing to it have being hit.

Mine was repaired at Listers' body shop in Coventry.