What could cause a scratch on the upper rear of a Corolla?
3 Answers
Corolla's upper rear being scratched may be due to external factors such as roadside curbs, under billboards, or areas with trees, which can easily cause scratches or damage to the car. Minor scratches: If it's just a minor scratch where the paint surface is scuffed without reaching the primer, you can wait and repair it together with other scratches. Severe scratches: If the scratch is severe and exposes the metal, it needs to be repainted as soon as possible. The car painting process is very complex, and what you see is only the top layer of paint. If the black part is not repainted in time, exposure to wind, sun, and time will cause rust in that area. Later repainting may also result in cracks or fissures.
Having driven for over a decade, the most common cause of a scratch on the upper rear of a Corolla is a reversing accident. Many people have poor visibility when reversing in parking lots or tight spaces, especially when there are SUVs or high-clearance vehicles nearby—their tailgates or bumpers can easily scrape the upper rear of your car. I once had a similar experience in a supermarket parking lot where a van reversed too aggressively and left a long scratch on my car. Fortunately, the base paint wasn’t damaged. The repair cost around 300 yuan, but it took time. To reduce the risk of scratches, I recommend parking in open spaces or against walls when possible. Also, make it a habit to check your surroundings before reversing—don’t rely solely on rearview mirrors, as this can prevent many mishaps. In cities, crowded parking is the norm, so let’s all be considerate and prioritize safety first.
After driving my Corolla for two years, I noticed scratches above the rear wheels. It's most likely due to minor mistakes while reversing, such as squeezing through my narrow garage door and scraping against the wall or a pillar. It could also be from branches brushing against the car while driving on narrow roads or an unstable bicycle parked by the roadside falling over. The damage is positioned high, so it definitely wasn't caused by stones kicked up from the ground. No need to worry too much—just spend a bit on touch-up paint. However, practicing reversing techniques and staying observant can reduce the frequency of such incidents. New drivers, in particular, should remember: slow is fast. Don't let anxiety affect your driving—stay calm and steady.
