• body

Car Body FAQs

AutoGuru

Updated 9 Jan 2024

AutoGuru

Car Body FAQs

The bodywork of your car is there to give your car its visual appeal, help it slice through the air and protect the occupants from everything on the outside. It bears the brunt of all the dirt, grime, bugs and objects that come in contact with your car. Here’s everything you need to know about the bodywork of your car.

How do I keep my paint in good condition?

Whenever possible, keep your vehicle undercover and away from constant sunlight. Wash it once a month or more often. If it is dirty wash the dirt off as soon as possible. Bird and bat droppings, leaves and sand can eat into the paintwork, so get rid of them quickly. Consider applying paint protection to your vehicle.

How much body damage will cause my car to be written off?

If you’re driving a spankingly new high-value car and crunch a front quarter panel and bend the bonnet, a repair will be most likely. If, however, you smack a low-value car into a guard rail, lose the front bumper, a quarter panel, and bend the bonnet, then the insurance company is likely to write it off. It will be up to the insurance company's discretion.

Can I remove dents without going to a body shop?

As with all things DIY, the end result may not be perfect and a trip to your local repairer would ensure the job is done right. Smallish dents can be removed by either pushing out (if you can get in behind the dent), suctioned out (using some sort of plunger or another suction device) or through the application of heat.

How can I tell if a paint job is bad?

Things to look for;

  • Different panels not matching in colour
  • Drips and runs in the finished job
  • Paint on components on which there should be none. (Exhaust, trimming, light covers)
AutoGuru

Written By

AutoGuru

AutoGuru is a collective of creatives and technologists with a single mission: to transform the way vehicle maintenance is managed.

For over a decade, we’ve been building technology that removes friction from managing automotive maintenance, making auto care easy for drivers, service providers, and fleet managers.

Our award-winning digital product portfolio includes:

  • Autoguru.com.au, Australia’s #1 auto services marketplace,
  • FleetGuru®, fleet maintenance management platform digitising approvals and streamlining payments for some of Australasia’s largest fleet operators,
  • FleetGuru.ai, AI-powered maintenance operating system connecting international fleet management companies, their clients, and drivers across borders for maintenance scheduling, authorisation and payments,
  • BookingGuru, white label booking solution powering online bookings and payments for car servicing and repairs, and
  • Reserve with Google Automotive Bookings, a unique integration enabling car servicing and repairs to be booked directly with service providers from Google Search & Maps.