2004 Ford Ka Ka Dent

SOPHIETHOMPSON19

MEMBER
2004 FORD KA
67,000 MILES

I was driving out of a multi storey car park earlier today and I hit the wall as I was driving around the corner leaving the floor I was on, and now at the back of the right hand side of the car near the plastic bumper there is a fairly large dent and big white scratches where the black paint has come off. I was driving very slowly and in first gear at the time like I always do, how much will this cost to repair and where is the best place to take it? Is there and inexpensive option? I am only 19. I live in the UK

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,754 POSTS

Here in the U.S. Body shops provide estimates after they see the damage. There's way too many variables to do that over a computer. Your car is new enough that you want to fix it right so it will last a while, and it's old enough that if a new panel is needed there may be a bunch in the salvage yards. Some new panels are so inexpensive that it doesn't pay to try to remove a used one from a car in the salvage yard.

Replacement panels are almost always less expensive than trying to straighten the one on your car now, but if the dent isn't real deep they can usually sand the paint off and fill it after pulling the metal out as much as possible. They will usually paint the entire panel. That is easier than trying to blend the new paint to the old paint.

I'm helping a friend in his body shop right now, and it amazes me what he can straighten and have painted so quickly.