Can I fix major car body damage myself?
Major collision damage like structural pillar dents and smashed mirrors cannot be fixed at home without specialized tools like body pullers and welding equipment. Attempting these repairs independently usually leaves cars unsafe to drive and forces owners to pay a professional anyway after wasting money on parts.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Replacing the side mirror independently using parts from eBay, Amazon, or a salvage yard while leaving the body dents unrepaired.Did this help you?
- 2Using pliers, hammers, and wood blocks to manually pull or push the dent straight enough to fit a new windshieldDid this help you?
- 3Filing an auto insurance claim to cover high professional repair costsDid this help you?
- 4Finding a budget-friendly body shop willing to do a minimal pull just to install the windowDid this help you?
- 5Tarping the car to protect it from the elementsDid this help you?
- 6Searching online for estimated repair and calibration cost ranges.Did this help you?
- 7Filing a claims caseDid this help you?
- 8Reporting the incident and leavingDid this help you?
- 9Paying the insurance deductible out of pocket and having the primary insurer subrogate the fundsDid this help you?
- 10Using a shop recommended by friends or familyDid this help you?
- 11Calling the dealership repeatedlyDid this help you?
- 12Seeking advice on online forumsDid this help you?
- 13Taking public transit or busesDid this help you?
- 14Taking expensive Ubers to workDid this help you?
- 15Looking for replacement used cars on Facebook MarketplaceDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Can I fix this by myself? This is a 2023 Kia Forte and after I was sideswiped on the highway in June. I looked up the part that is needed to fix the mirror but I do not know where to get it from. I didn’t know that a handful of dents and scratches would cost almost $2000. Please help.”source ↗
“its a 2014 Honda Accord, and a tree limb fell on it. needing to replace the rear windshield but this dent is right on the pillar. is this fixable or am i just gonna have to tarp it? and is there anything i can do myself to help it?”source ↗
“anything i can do on my own? or any idea what something like this would usually cost?”source ↗
“I was rear-ended yesterday and while the damage looks minimal, it messed up my rear facing safety sensors.”source ↗
“what would your best estimated guess be as to the cost of the repair? I know these things require calibration and some cars have to take the whole bumper off to get to the wiring.”source ↗
“I'm seeing ranges online from $350 - $950+ depending on many factors.”source ↗
“I've circled where the sensors are that got messed up and resulted in my car saying my safety sensors are disabled”source ↗
“My car was running when I took it to them I drove it up there now they are saying the car don’t start and it needs a whole new engine all from an oil leak?”source ↗
“I did a claims case”source ↗
“Chances of winning?”source ↗
“Should I use a body shop on my own or use geicos recommendation? I’ve never had damage and don’t know a shop other than Lexus service, my friends mom gave me a shop as well.”source ↗
“Got hit by an SUV that didn't stay at the crime scene today I only have liability and that looks like frame damage. How repairable is this?”source ↗
“So, a few weeks ago, I crashed my car. It drives, but not well enough to make it to work I don't think. Was quoted 10k by a body shop, haven't taken it to a regular mechanic yet who would look at it.”source ↗
“The issue: I'm about 5k underwater on my car loan. My insurance had just lapsed about a month prior. I don't think I have gap insurance either from the dealer.”source ↗
“I took it to a body shop, he quoted me 10k! That's more than the principal of the car when I bought it. The regular mechanic I took it to refused to look at it.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Upside down on car loan and can't afford repairs
- 5Can you fix a deep car body crease yourself?
- 6Can a damaged plastic bumper cover be repaired with heat?
- 2Should I repaint or replace badly dented car doors?
- 2Driving a damaged car when you can't afford the repairs
- 20How to assess car damage and talk to a mechanic remotely