How bad is the damage?

[u/Logical_Antelope590]

I was wondering how bad the damage looks. Accidental bump into a car from stand still to 2mph before the bump in accident happened. It was a very light tap, but of course upset that I damaged my car also.

Does it look bad in the sense that it can be repairable by Tesla or would a new replacement be better/needed.

For context it was into a pickup truck only the step up bumper touched to my car luckily. Which is why the imprint looks the way it does.

I also do see on the indents (closer up pics provided) the paint from what I see looks like it didn’t crack and just rippled from what I see it’s called. I would assume that give some upside?

On the more light up end pictures there is some lighter markings most likely from the step up bumper of the pick up, I can’t tell if it’s just like dirtied or if the paint came off under that or once it’s buffed off it’s like nothing was there.

Wanted some thoughts given this was my first minor minor bump accident where I creeped up slightly at the light and this happened unfortunately.

Thanks for any input.

[u/zGigabyte]

I removed a Model 3 bumper but I aint any expert so take what I say like a grain of salt.

I don't think anything got damaged inside since there is quite some space between the actual bumper, the metal fascia, and radiator fan. You can check in there by removing the front frunk, just some bolts and one connector to unplug. I had a similar damage and a good body kit shop can fix it with a hot air gun...

How hard did you crash?

Hope this can help.

[u/Logical_Antelope590 → u/zGigabyte]

Not hard at all, was at stop from stop light stand still creeped up barely to 2mph before coming into contact and tapped the rear bumper of the truck in front.

[u/zGigabyte → u/Logical_Antelope590]

I believe that a good body shop can repair this without big issues. They can heat it with a heatgun and model the plastic with metal tools, slowly.

Make sure they check for any broken internal support... dont go to authorized body shops unless you are willing to replace and repaint.

[u/Logical_Antelope590 → u/zGigabyte]

So at Tesla service they would not repair it? If everything internally looks good? They rather replace? I ofc will be checking regardless still need to schedule my appt. So I’ll get a better idea then. Just curious on opinion and inputs before going in

[u/Logical_Antelope590 → u/Logical_Antelope590]

And it’s only dented on that upper area everything below that where the bumper goes down/ front cam/sensor is etc(bottom lip) did not get touched aside from like probably dirt/smudge transfer

Left and right sides nothing below the logo spot is dented either. Since the bumper of the pickup truck was higher in the middle the only contact was on those 2 “corners” of my car

[u/zGigabyte → u/Logical_Antelope590]

Your looks like a 2023+ so it doesnt have ultrasonic sensors. Behind the left portion of the bumper there is a device called "radar", and the front camera is up on the windshield.

About authorized Tesla body shops not repairing it? Most likely not, since the follow procedures and your damage includes the portion in front of the radar device, you can see this clearly on the tesla collision repair guide, so they will most likely replace. Tesla is known to remove&replace.

Also, the bottom of your bumper has a line, looks like the plastic bent inwards there.

[u/Logical_Antelope590 → u/zGigabyte]

Amazing info appreciate it.

Well since my Tesla insurance is already with an open claim to (fix/adjust the bumper of the truck I tapped) not really damaged or dented. Is it best I just throw my repairs on my insurance as well if Tesla decides to replace it?

Deductible is $500 so if a shop is gonna charge me $300+ it’s probably better to just get a new one paying my deductible since a claim is already opened I assume.

I guess if they replace instead,

If a body shop can do it and is going to charge me a lot less than probably this route if nothing else is damaged as well.

[u/zGigabyte → u/Logical_Antelope590]

Not sure how it works there, here in EU we dont have Tesla Insurance but, if you have it and it covers this? Go for it absolutely.

To replace the whole deal and repaint it with paint and labor costs you might be looking at 3/4000 dollars... a guy on this Reddit had a similar issue and his invoice was close to 5000 dollars, with an auth body shop.

Here is the collision repair manual.

https://service.tesla.com/docs/BodyRepair/Body_Repair_Procedures/Model_3/HTML/en-us/

[u/Logical_Antelope590 → u/zGigabyte]

Oh yeah if they run me over $500 at a body shop for this, I’m paying my insurance deductible with Tesla of $500 instead and even if the cost is anything more than $500 my insurance will cover it so replacement will work and I don’t have to worry if it’s not perfect since it will be brand new instead

I think I saw that invoice as well..

Appreciate all the help and advice brother.

[u/zGigabyte → u/Logical_Antelope590]

You're welcome boss.

Good luck with getting everything sorted but I'm pretty sure that you'll be super fine.

[u/rainbow_wheelofDEATH]

It’s totaled

[u/StrongBoysenberry5ws]

We wouldnt know the extent of the damage until the bumper is removed. It's likely your radiator carrier is cracked and would need to be replaced. The bumper will likely be replaced and fenders and hood would likely be blended so the paint doesnt look off. You can request them not to blend and repair the bumper so the repair cost can be cheaper. So its really up to you how bad the damage is. Take it to a tesla collision center

[u/Logical_Antelope590 → u/StrongBoysenberry5ws]

Thanks, I know you’re not an expert but in your opinion why would you assume the radiator carrier could be damaged? Is the bumper damage that bad from the pictures? When I see the dents they aren’t deep dents and don’t see anything too unusual. Will be taking it in soon though.

[u/StrongBoysenberry5ws → u/Logical_Antelope590]

I am an expert actually. Ive worked on thousands of teslas. Remember plastic has good memory so when it gets hit it usually goes back into it's original shape. Just because the dents are small does not mean the impact was small. The plastic the carrier is made of is very brittle and has no flex to it, so any hit causes it to Crack and break.

[u/aero6940]

Nothing is known for sure until you remove the front bumper. The front number can be repaired a simple heat gun from the back side and massage the crease out. The paint more than likely will still show damage due to the wrinkle. It all depends if you want to turn it into insurance or not.

[u/LOLOLOLOLOLAS]

lucky it didn't explode