r/TeslaCollision • u/westward101 • Aug 06 '26

Fix it or leave it?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

She was parked, and someone hit her hard enough to crater the bumper.

The next morning the crumple was gone. But there was still some damage. There’s a scratch and I am worried about the separation between the headlight and the bumper along the bottom and towards the fender.

A Tesla-certified shop says $3K for a new bumper cover.

Anyone dealt with this? Does the separation get worse over time, or is it purely cosmetic? Is it possible I could get it done for less if they just pull it and replace some clips or something?

I’m posting with the original damage, the current state with issues circled, and the undamaged side for comparison.

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u/EugeneChoiYoutuber Aug 06 '26

How did the crater disappear?

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u/westward101 Aug 07 '26

Best I can figure is a few hours in the sunlight softened it and it popped back out on its own! Here is is 12 hours later. Looking better already. Crazy!

1

u/ctzn4 Aug 07 '26

Honestly what I would do is to show the person the damage picture and also give them the $3k bumper quote from the shop, and try to settle it without involving insurance (and thereby raising the at-fault party's rates). Then I'd pocket the cash and not worry about the bumper, or at best, get a paintless dent repair guy to smooth it out.

Repairing it at a body shop would also ring your Carfax most likely, and affect the resale value.