Minor Shunt

[Davetheref]

Does anyone know how hard your rear bumper has to be hit to cause any damage. Last night, for the first time ever in my 33 years of driving, I was nudged up the rear by a young driver as I was waiting in a queue of traffic. I wasn't hit that hard as it almost felt like I had stalled the car and when we both got out to check, there was no marks on mine or her car but it was a definate bang\nudge.

I just wondered if there are shocks or the like in the bumper to protect you up to a certain speed before damage is caused. I know I have the SMAX but it is the same rear again as the mark 3 Gal.

Cheers

[tiny]

Most modern cars do not have traditional "bumpers". What you can see on the outside tends to be no more than a plastic skin, the real bumper is a metal panel underneath that is designed to absorb some of the impact of a collision by deforming. After the "bumper" has taken the impact, the crumple zones take over and dissipate the force of impact by deforming, thereby protecting the passenger compartment.

 

It is unlikely that your car has suffered any damage with sutch a minor shunt, but it is important with newer vehicles to get the car checked out by a competent person. You should always exchange insurance details and contact your insurance to let them know of the incident so that you can get it checked out.

 

Unfortunately it is no longer a case of getting out and looking for dings in your chrome bumper.

[Davetheref]

Thanks Tiny

I will have to pop to my local Ford garage on Saturday.

When this happened, it was in the middle of the local rush hour and it was a young girl driving a Nova. She said she didn't have any insurance details with her and couldn't remember them. I got her mobile number, car reg no and first name only and said I would call her when I could check properly if there was any damage. Hope I got enough info to go on. The one good thing was that I had a car full at the time and hopefully could use them as witnesses if needed.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

If it really was a gentle tap at 1 or 2 mph, chances are that there is no damage at all (well, maybe if you get down on your knees and squint at the bumper when the sun is shining on it, you may notice some slight scuffing). It's surprising how a gentle tap can feel, and sound, so earth-shattering these days. Fingers crossed for you......

[Davetheref]

When I got home last night I checked very closely and from all angles and I couldn't see any damage at all on the bumper although it did break one of my DIY reversing sensors (not sure where to buy just one). Just very relieved. :lol: Edited November 23, 2007 by Davetheref