What kind of repair do I need?

MaudL

Right so, I got into a small accident this weekend, rear ended another car at very low speed (<5km/h)

Nothing on his car, not a scratch on mine either. However, now I can't open my front passenger side door more than 10cm wide. It seems that the bonnet was slightly displaced towards the side panel by the shock, and that might be what's causing obstruction.

Do I take it to an auto body repair shop or a proper mechanic?
Any idea of a rough cost?

And any recommendations in the Dublin area?

Thanks!

Alanstrainor

We can't say what it could cost when we know nothing of the car or damage really. Best talk to a body shop and see what they say. I would be somewhat concerned that the damage is worse than you think...

H3llR4iser

Wow, that's a lot of consequence for a small tip - considering the low speed, the most likely scenario is that the side panel shifted a bit rearwards; I can't imagine the chassis getting bent with the limited energy involved. Unless the car already had been in a much bigger accident before.

First step would be to get it looked at by your mechanic - he can lift the car up and check if there's any damage on the underside (again, extremely unlikely, but you want to make sure).

Toyotafanboi

Sounds like the wing is pushed back over the door.

If this has happened there is definitely more damage than has met your eye.

Let a panel beater look at it.

H3llR4iser

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Wow, that's a lot of consequence for a small tip - considering the low speed, the most likely scenario is that the side panel shifted a bit rearwards; I can't imagine the chassis getting bent with the limited energy involved. Unless the car already had been in a much bigger accident before.

First step would be to get it looked at by your mechanic - he can lift the car up and check if there's any damage on the underside (again, extremely unlikely, but you want to make sure).

The fronts designed to fold like an accordion....ask me how I know

H3llR4iser

BrownFinger wrote: »

The fronts designed to fold like an accordion....ask me how I know

Lol...how do you know?

But yes, it is designed that way - but not at 5kph, unless the OP is grossly underestimating the impact speed...

MaudL

Sorry I should have given more info. It's a 161 Hyundai i20. I'm the original owner of the car, never been in an accident before.
It was definitely at very slow speed as both the car in front of me and myself were fully stopped and just starting to go forward into a roundabout.

JoeA3

as above, your front wing and/or top of the bonnet has been pushed back into the door and that's causing the door to be difficult to open. Therefore the underlying damage is significantly worse than you imagined.... get it to a body shop.

MaudL

thanks, will do