Well, I guess it was my turn. Some nice old lady (yes, I know---older drivers can be a problem with this sort of thing) clipped my rear bumper in a supermarket parking lot yesterday. She admitted it was her fault, but her insurance company, whom I already spoke to, is not yet sure.

I received an estimate from a local body shop of almost $900, because they say the whole bumper must be replaced. There are only two small dents in it at the driver’s corner and a few scratch marks. Is there any way that the original bumper can be repaired rather than replaced?

 

sounds like your shop is trying to take the easier route of replacing and not doing labor to repair. they are probably going to charge you the same labor as you would get if they resurface the damages.

 

Depending on the damages, you may actually be better off with a new bumper.

 

i would take the new bumper!

 

Yes, I probably need a new bumper. Here's a pix:

 

You really won't know until they take it off and look underneath. I had a screw punch in my bumper and some scratches, but when they took it off a bunch of brackets were broken as well as my license plate light. They repaired the bumper and replaced the brackets and light mechanism and all is well.

 

it looks like it might be able to be fixed..the only advantage of not getting a new bumper is having to blend the qtr panels. A good shop could fix it and keep the color away from where the bumper meets the qtr so it still matches perfect

 

Thanks all for your inputs. As an update, with the other vehicle’s insurance company now accepting liability, I’m going to replace the whole bumper next week at a well-known and reliable body shop (Colonial Coach in Northridge, CA). They want the car for three days. I hope I won’t be able to tell the difference afterward.