On average, drivers have car accidents every 18 years. Not all car accidents are fatal, but all do damage to the vehicle. Vehicle damage from minor accidents can be difficult to detect. However, if the car is damaged in an accident, there are subtle signs.
Electrical problems
Most vehicles rely on electricity to drive efficiently, and accidents can affect the functioning of the vehicle's electrical components. Blinking or deadlight is a common sign that the wiring connections in the vehicle's electrical system are loose. Loose wire connections can also damage the brakes and make driving dangerous. If the car's sound system does not work after an accident, it can also be caused by electrical damage.
Transmission fluid leak
An accident may result in a puncture to essential fluid lines on your vehicle. Leaks are often a sign of vehicle transmission damage. Transmission fluid lubricates a vehicle's metal parts, ensuring they do not grind against each other as the vehicle moves. Cars with automatic transmission also need transmission fluid to create hydraulic pressure, which internal parts need to function.
Vehicle misalignment
Body damage may sometimes misalign your vehicle. In this case, the tires will wear unevenly. Unfortunately, vehicle tires take a long time to show signs of wear, so this type of damage may go unnoticed for a long time.
Latch damage
Collisions can damage car doors, trunks, or hood latches. In this case, it may be difficult to open and close the door, trunk, and hood. Damage to the latch mechanism can cause the trunk and hood to open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of accidents. Inadequate closing of the door also puts you and your passengers at risk. Therefore, have a collision repair technician address these issues immediately.
Suspension system damage
The vehicle's suspension system provides traction and controls the effects of poor road conditions for a smoother ride. Damage to the vehicle's suspension system will affect impact resistance.
Rust
After a collision, it is easy to miss small scratches on the surface of the car. Others neglect to repaint small scratches on hidden areas so that they don't spoil the appearance of the car. However, the paint around the scratched area will wear over time, exposing the underlying metalwork to the elements. When this happens, rust builds up in these areas and begins to eat up the metal, weakening the structure of the car. Small scratches are cheaper to repair than rusted parts. Therefore, to avoid costly repairs later, repair any small scratches as soon as you notice them.
Even if the car does not show any visible damage, a collision repair specialist is needed to inspect it for hidden damage. Do not leave the car grounded due to undetected damage.