Dents in your car are practically an inevitability. No matter how carefully you drive, an errant shopping cart, a careless parking job, or a minor fender bender will leave your car with dents and dings. When dents are small and don't affect your ability to drive the vehicle, you might be tempted to put off a visit to the auto repair shop and live with the damage. Here are a few fantastic reasons not to do that, though. 

4 Reasons to Fix Dents Immediately

1. Rust the Car

Even if a dent doesn’t look bad at first glance, the clear coat and paint may have cracked through because of the impact. When that happens, water, sunlight, road salt, and other contaminants can contact the bare metal, causing rust. Rust quickly spreads if you don’t address it, so you should repair the dent right away to keep it away. 

2. Damage the Paint

Over time, the cracks in the clear coat around the damage can cause the paint to deteriorate, leaving your car looking dull in that area. The color around a dent is also more likely to chip, furthering increasing the chance of rust taking over. The auto repair shop will restore the clear coat and paint job, so it looks like it never happened, keeping your vehicle looking shiny and new. 

3. Dents Affect Safety

Although a dent might seem minor, it can affect the structural integrity of your car. Sometimes, dents hide more severe damage that compromises your safety. For example, although newer models generally have plastic bumpers that are more resistant to damage, the force of the impact could bend the metal in the vehicle frame. Having your vehicle inspected at an auto repair shop after an accident ensures that the damage isn’t worse than it appears.

4. Lower Resale Value

Even small scratches will affect the overall value of your car, as buyers are less willing to pay top dollar for a vehicle that’s in less-than-pristine condition. Not to mention, if you don't fix the dents, buyers may wonder what other maintenance has been ignored or overlooked. Addressing even minor damage preserves your vehicle’s value, so you won't take a loss when selling or trading.

Does your car have minor dents and dings that you’ve been putting off repairing? If so, call on Schneider Auto Body in Columbia, MO, for quality auto repair and collision work. Serving vehicle owners since 1989, this family-owned auto body shop specializes in collision repairs, dent removal, and auto painting. Learn more about their services on their website, or call (573) 815-0198 to request an estimate.