Minor scratches may be easy to ignore, but doing so for too long can lead to more serious problems later on. According to auto body repair experts, your car’s paint protects its metal parts from harsh environmental elements. When you scratch your vehicle and leave the metal parts exposed, the chassis becomes susceptible to rusting and corrosion.

Here’s how minor scratches can become major problems:

• Devalue Your Car: Appraisers often grade a car’s value by determining whether it’s in excellent, good, fair, or poor condition. Dings and scratches can easily earn you a poor or fair score, which can significantly lower your vehicle’s market value. You’ll have a much harder time getting a good offer for a car that looks neglected, which can make selling a frustrating experience.

• Make Your Vehicle Susceptible to the Elements: There’s no escaping moisture, even in drier climates. And once your car’s metal chassis is exposed, there’s no escaping rust, either. Rust can spread even to parts that are still covered by paint, corroding it from the inside until your vehicle’s body is compromised.

• Expose You to Safety Hazards: If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, scratches are usually a sign your car has taken a serious hit. While the damage may look superficial, these issues can lead to unstable driving, which can have catastrophic results. If you see scratches on your vehicle after an accident, drive to the nearest auto body repair shop right away and have it properly inspected. An expert should be able to identify any underlying issues that are not visible to untrained eyes.

Are you looking for a reliable auto body repair expert in the East Rochester, NY, area? Contact Panorama Collision at (585) 381-8667 today. This auto collision center has been serving clients from nearby areas for over 60 years. Visit their website to learn about their auto body repair solutions.