After a minor car accident, you may want to put off taking your vehicle to an auto shop. However, auto repair should always be taken seriously after a collision, even if the damage appears minor or is invisible to you. Your car may have sustained damage you can’t see, and neglecting this could be a costly mistake.

What Damage May Be Hiding After an Accident?

1. Electrical Issues

Multiple electrical problems can occur after a low-impact collision, including loosened wires. As a result, your sound system could leave you without radio, your brake lights could stop blinking, and you could have a dead battery that leaves your car unable to start. Take your vehicle to an auto repair shop to put these wires back in their correct position.

2. Wheel Misalignment

If your steering wheel is shaky or vibrating, or if your car is pulling to one side, your wheels are likely misaligned. These issues will make it challenging to drive and could lead to more accidents in the future. Wheel misalignment can also cause rapid tire balding, as one side of your car will compensate for the other.

3. Cooler Hose

Your car's cooler hose is responsible for cooling the transmission when it's changing gears. If this hose is pinched even slightly, it'll restrict the flow of fluid from your engine to the transmission, causing it to overheat. When this happens over a long period, your transmission will eventually fail, leading to an expensive repair.

4. Trunk Problems

If you were rear-ended, your trunk might be damaged. It may not open anymore, or it could open unexpectedly at high speed, which is a danger to anyone behind you. Trunk malfunctions will also lead to lower resale value and should be taken to an auto repair shop to be fixed properly.

If you were in a car accident, contact the experts at Collision Masters in Fairbanks, AK, for auto repair. Their professional team will inspect your vehicle using specialized equipment to check diagnostic codes so every issue, whether it’s internal or cosmetic, is fixed promptly. Call (907) 451-8456 to ask about their Detail for Life program, and visit them online to learn more about the other services they offer.