Is Replacing a Fender Considered a Major Repair?
3 Answers
Replacing a fender is not considered a major repair. A fender is merely a body panel that does not affect the overall safety or performance of the vehicle. Major automotive repairs are generally categorized into three types: 1. Engine overhaul; 2. Transmission overhaul; 3. Chassis and suspension overhaul. The fender, also known as the wing panel, is located on the outer body of the wheel. Its function, based on fluid dynamics, is to reduce the drag coefficient, making the vehicle more stable while driving. Depending on the installation position, fenders are divided into front fenders and rear fenders. The front fender is installed above the front wheel, and because the front wheels have steering functionality, it must ensure the maximum space required for the front wheels to turn.
I have twenty years of driving experience and have replaced the fender several times, which definitely doesn't count as a major repair. Major repairs typically involve heavy-duty work on the engine, transmission, or chassis, such as dismantling the entire engine to refurbish internal components—that's what truly qualifies as a significant project. Replacing a fender is just sheet metal repair work on the car body, which is technically simple and time-efficient, often completed within a day at a repair shop. In the case of minor collisions where the fender gets damaged, the repair costs are low, insurance claims are processed quickly, and no major repair records are left to affect the car's residual value. A real major repair alters the heart of the car's performance, leading to warranty voidance or a significant decline in vehicle condition. Encountering such minor accidents during one's driving career is quite normal—don't worry too much, it's just routine maintenance-level minor surgery. Those with strong DIY skills might even handle the painting part themselves.
Having worked in auto repair shops for many years, I've handled numerous fender replacement jobs. This falls under body repair, which is completely different from major overhauls. A major overhaul refers to in-depth mechanical servicing, like engine disassembly or clutch replacement - time-consuming, labor-intensive work that affects the powertrain. Fender replacement is surface-level work; it just requires removing the old panel, welding on a new one, and repainting. The workload is light, and tool requirements aren't demanding. The repair process is straightforward: first assess the damage, and if there are no related issues like suspension deformation, proceed directly with the repair. This is common after minor accidents, with costs ranging from a few hundred to a little over a thousand - easily covered by insurance. Major overhaul records significantly impact used car transactions, but this type of repair isn't even factored in. Car owners can relax, just maintain regular body inspections.
