Whats done this to my car??!!

[classicsl]

When washing the car the other day i came across this strange dent in the curved panel below the rear bumper. Hopefully the attachments have worked, havent tried to attach pics to posts before!!

This is some distance within the out limits of both the side and rear bumper extension, and as you can see it is right next to the exhaust. I have not reversed into anything and even if i had it would have broken the paint, as you can see the paint is not cracked or scraped. a mystery. Was thinking of removing panel and beating it back into shape myself, but dont want to make a complete mess of it, any thoughts on what may have caused this strange damage!

 

[DITTRICH]

...if you'd hit something hard, there'd be scratches. If there aren't any then whatever caused it must be softer than your panel. So, maybe someone just gave it a hard kick when it was parked somewhere? I don't know if this explanation is feasible nor am I going to test it on my own motor! Just a thought.
Les

 

[pluggers]

I did that once on a car when I was 17, only I was doing a J turn at roughly 20mph or flat out in reverse which ever is quickest in a vauxhall viva.The handbrake didn't hold out and I went up the embankment hence that type of dent.You haven't loaned your car out have you?

Possibly it might have been a boundary marker or boulder on the grass verge or on the edge of a car park.

 

[glojo]

It certainly does not look like any sort of direct impact damage.

The other day there was footage of a smart car hitting a concrete block the front of the car was naturally stove in, but the rear quarter panels 'buckled' with the same type 'buckling' as your picture. (I am DEFINITELY not accusing you of driving 70mph into a concrete block )

Could it be the metal has weakened and just simply buckled? If someone had kicked it, there would be different damage to what your picture displays. What condition is the metal of the panel on the opposite side and is that area prone to either rust or stress?

Now I've seen the second picture it is possible your exhaust has pushed against the panel, and the panel has buckled. Check the exhaust for damage!!

Good question though.

Regards,
John

 

[stwat]

Do you or have you parked anywhere that has those fold down bollards? If you reversed over one slowly enough im sure that could do it without leaving a mark on the paint. Also isnt the paint down there anti stone chip paint? ie softer than normal.

Stu

 

[Dieselman]

You can see the panel is pushed up slightly which has stressed the joint between the rear vallance and the rear wing.

Either you've reversed into something smooth or somethings come up under your car.

A wooden post wont break the paint but will dent the steel.

 

[classicsl]

Only had the car about 2 months. Have only driven it to work (surface car park, no bollards or low walls) and to the gym (security patrolled car park). The only thing i can think is that some goon has kicked the panel as it is guarded well by the bumper and exhaust, like glojo said the exhaust is v close, but there is no damage to the exhaust!! A real mystery and i am completely pissed off, it attracts my attention every time i walk past it!!

 

[DITTRICH]

Having looked at the pics again, particularly the first one, I think you did reverse into something at slow speed in a car park and you were braking to a stop. Do you have your stereo on in car parks! You might not have heard this as it seems the panel was "gently" pushed, not "hit".
Les

 

[classicsl]

i have been very careful when parking and at both the gym and work, the two public car parks i have used, i can drive straight into a space without reversing. i am not saying that i am perfect!! but i cant believe i could hit something causing this damage without knowing. will get it repaired and see if i do it again!!!

 

[glojo]

It still looks weird to me, if you had gently reversed into a soft object, the dent would 'reflect the shape, be it wooden or mud. If it were mud then surely there would be stones in the mud that would at least have scratched the paint????

Like you, I could not live with that damage on such a nice vehicle, grrrr. Hopefully you know of a good specialist capable of spoiling your 'pride and joy'

Is it worth considering getting a 'rubberised' coating to protect the panel from chippings etc????

Regards,
John

 

[classicsl]

thanks john. i would be the first to admit it if i had been a prat and hit something. only done about 500 miles in it anyway could do without the expense. Dont know of any good bodyshops, never had the need to (touch wood) have any serious bodywork done, so if anyone knows of good places in the west mids i would be grateful. The thing with this panel is that its finished in the heavy duty paint and has a mottled effect to the panel so might be difficult to beat back to its original shape, what does the 'rubberising entail?'

 

[Vlad]

Tow-bar on a 4x4 that may have nudged into you whilst reversing?

 

[glojo]

The thing with this panel is that its finished in the heavy duty paint and has a mottled effect to the panel so might be difficult to beat back to its original shape, what does the 'rubberising entail?'

It is just a paint that is used sometimes on panels that are exposed to high risk of being hit by 'chippings' etc.

Strangely enough to quote someone, "its finished in the heavy duty paint and has a mottled effect to the panel" It does indeed look just like that.

I might have over simplified the description as being rubberised.

I have just read the very good theory about it being a tow hook, but you would certainly recognize damage by the 'evil' tow hook, and the height is wrong.

I'm sure there are membedrs here that are from the West Midlands. You could always have a chat with your local main dealer and just ask if he has any recommendations. A good job is not always the most expensive. Sadly though the cheapest usually is not always of a standard you might like in a few years of use.

What sort of job do you want done? How expensive is it to replace the panel? (my own personal recommendation)

Could be the start of a new thread!!!

Good luck,
John

 

[tvcam]

looks like a bmx wheel got lodged underneath... rubber tyre no scratches.. hit your car at speed.. what do you reckon..

or you have backed over a peice of wood that has lifted from under the wheel to dent the bodywork..

 

[classicsl]

my lodger had is vw badge nicked off his passat last night when parked on the drive last night, luckily it doesnt look like they had a go at my car, but it does make me think the dent might have been an act of pathetic vandalism

 

[liammc]

Was the chrome trim on the bumper damaged at the same time?

 

[classicsl]

no damage to any of rear/side of car other than the dent in panel, any impact on bumper would have left its mark on the rubber trim protecting the chrome

 

[classicsl]

car finally going into bodyshop on tuesday, everywhere seems to be so busy!! going to have it for 3 days but with panel beaten, and sprayed will be about £150. will be glad to have the motor back in shape and looking nice ready to be put away for the bad months