Bumpers

[jdrrco]

Hello

I have just put down a deposit on a 74k miles 2006/56 Prius T-Spirit in black with IPA and leather which I expect to pick up next Wednesday.

Mechanically, it has been very well cared for from new with 2 owners and a text book service book full of Toyota dealer stamps every 10k miles and the full invoices/receipts for each one, so I'm not expecting any major issues there.

Bodywork-wise, there are three areas on the rear bumper which are damaged. None are major and I may just choose to live with them as they are only noticeable on closest inspection (mainly because it is black), but I thought I'd see what the experts out there can tell me.

There is a tennis ball-sized dent (about an inch deep) on the driver's side corner and some scraping of the plastic, a 2-inch ding in the middle with mild paint damage and the bumper has come away (by millimeteres) from its securing point on the passenger side just behind the wheelarch. All three are clearly the result of minor parking incidents (in spite of the camera!).

From your experiences, is it more economical to replace the rear bumper or would a company like Dent Wizard or Smart Repair be a better option?

Also any guesstimates of costs of doing either of the above?

Thanks in anticipation.

James

[Jan&tone]

The dings could have been other people! The camera is positioned so that you are able to park within millimetres of the object behind you!

As for repair or replacement, I was once quoted 1100 quid for the front bumper, but then a football size dent in the front nearside was repaired for less than 500 and was invisible afterwards. Apparently it depends on whether there is a crease in the plastic or not whether it can be repaired.

Can't you get the dealer to do the repair before you collect it?

[Chris Dance]

Try to get the dealer to sort the damage for you as part of your purchase deal. If you were part exchanging a car with dents etc the dealer would reduce the trade in price; so when purchasing surely the damage should be sorted or the price reduced accordingly.

[jdrrco]

Thanks for your replies.

Just to clarify, I am not buying from a dealer and the price I am paying reflects this very mild damage.

My question was, if I choose to repair them, would it be more economical to replace the rear bumper or would a company like Dent Wizard or Smart Repair be a better option?

Any other experiences of the costs of doing either of the above?

Many thanks.

[Parts-King]

Yes it is the sort of thing a SMART repairer such as dent wizard would do, however it does depend if the plastic can be put back into shape and not too stressed, if you can get it done, it will be far cheaper. The rear bumper alone is £179 and would need to be painted, which would cost at least the same amount so just compare smart repairers estimate to going for new. Get one of the dent guys to give you an estimate and see if it can be repaired to start with

Kingo

[MLW2233]

Have you seen:

Amazing

[jdrrco]

Have you seen:

Amazing

Wow! If that can be done, then the little dings in mine should be a doddle.

If you had met me, you'd know why I don't own a hairdryer and I'm dreading the reaction if I were to go into a shop to get one!!

However, certainly a dents away type chap should have no problem.

Very useful. Many thanks!

[jdrrco]

Yes it is the sort of thing a SMART repairer such as dent wizard would do, however it does depend if the plastic can be put back into shape and not too stressed, if you can get it done, it will be far cheaper. The rear bumper alone is £179 and would need to be painted, which would cost at least the same amount so just compare smart repairers estimate to going for new. Get one of the dent guys to give you an estimate and see if it can be repaired to start with

Kingo

Thanks, I'll do that. What about the attachment at the side by the wheelarch? Is it attached with an easily replaceable clip? Or could some superglue and a G-clamp even do the trick?!