Should a new car's scratches be repaired immediately?
3 Answers
New car scratches and dents should be repaired promptly as they can affect both the vehicle's appearance and components. If the scratches are not too deep, owners can purchase touch-up paint pens for DIY repairs, and use specialized tools to suction out minor dents. Key features of touch-up paint pens: 1. Quick-drying: Due to application environment constraints, these pens must have rapid air-drying properties at room temperature to prevent dripping or dust contamination that compromises aesthetics; 2. Versatility: While formulated to standard colors for broad compatibility, they cannot perfectly match all aged paint variations. For larger, longer, or deeper scratches, touch-up pens only provide temporary concealment and cannot achieve professional repainting results.
My new car got scratched, and my first reaction was to check if it affects safety. New cars are quite delicate, and if the headlights or windshield are scratched, it might impact nighttime visibility or driving sightlines, increasing the risk of accidents on the road. For example, deep scratches might expose the metal, making it prone to rust spreading during the rainy season and damaging the car's body structure. Since new cars are valuable, I prioritize addressing safety hazards—anything that needs repair gets fixed immediately to avoid higher costs later. However, if it's a minor scratch on a non-critical area like the rear bumper, I might observe it for a few days first. In short, safety always comes first—if you spot a hazard, head to the dealership for an inspection right away. Remember, repairs are easier during the new car warranty period, so don’t let small issues escalate. Don’t slack off—road safety is no joke. Regular maintenance also helps prevent problems from piling up.
My new car got scratched not long after I bought it, and I'm torn about whether to repair it, mainly considering my wallet. The insurance premium for a new car is high, and filing a claim for minor scratches might cause the premium to skyrocket. Paying out of pocket is expensive and painful. For small scratches, using a touch-up pen or covering them with stickers can save money where possible. The value of the new car has dropped a bit, but whether to repair it or not depends on the size of the scratch: if only the surface paint is damaged and it doesn’t affect the appearance or safety, I often wait first; but if deep scratches expose the metal, it must be repaired to avoid rust, which could double the repair cost later. Maintenance costs for new cars are already high, so delaying repairs where possible can save money for more worthwhile investments. However, I recommend that new car owners document any scratches, as they might affect the valuation when selling the car in the future.
