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2015 Mazda 3 - Damage Assessment (Cosmetic?)


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cl_mazda
New User

Dec 12, 2020, 8:23 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1878 views)
2015 Mazda 3 - Damage Assessment (Cosmetic?) Sign In

Hi, hope this is the right place to post this. I know almost nothing about cars, and recently incurred some damage to the rear-passenger side of my Mazda. There is some scratches and dents, but what I am more concerned about is the plastic part near the tire highlighted in the pictures. The bottom 2 pictures are from right after the damage, and I was able to pop the loose panel back into place, but the little bit at the bottom closest to the tires is sticking out, and some plastic bits came out of it.

Hoping someone can help answer the following questions:
1) What is this plastic part called, and what function does it serve?
2) Is it important to get it replaced/fixed, or is it cosmetic damage that I can leave? (Car has no issues driving or anything)
3) What is a reasonable quote if I were to get it fixed?

Thanks in advance!









(This post was edited by cl_mazda on Dec 12, 2020, 8:26 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 12, 2020, 10:02 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1863 views)
Re: 2015 Mazda 3 - Damage Assessment (Cosmetic?) Sign In

I/we couldn't do quotes for damage like that if we tried. It does show sharp edges to me so where I am is a hazard to others now and wouldn't be allowed to leave it alone as it's sharp.


How much work and parts now (by me a wild guess) the plastic parts will best be replaced, painted in accordance with the color and does seem to have damaged metal of the quarter panel also adds to that IMO quite a bit.


Take it to a shop that does this work it's an entire trade of itself. It could be made to just not be sharp nor risk of things falling off or fixed so it's like nothing ever happened. You hash that out with the shop of your choice.


You were hunting for a guess so I'll say all damages to make that new again about 2-$4,000 US is quite a spread. Could include alternate transportation while being done added.


If insurance is involved yours or another responsible for that use it that's real damage despite car probably does drive fine with that,


T



cl_mazda
New User

Dec 12, 2020, 10:12 PM

Post #3 of 5 (1859 views)
Re: 2015 Mazda 3 - Damage Assessment (Cosmetic?) Sign In

Hey Tom, thanks for the quick response.

Not too clear on what you mean by the sharp edges, can you explain a bit more?

Also, once again not too concerned about the painting and the dents, mostly wondering about the plastic bit is that something that needs to be fixed? Or if i just leave the car as is is that fine?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 12, 2020, 11:49 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1851 views)
Re: 2015 Mazda 3 - Damage Assessment (Cosmetic?) Sign In

OK: Sharp edge showing is a danger to somebody just brushing against this car could be cut. Dumb as it is, it would not be allowed for public road use where I am yet not making this unusable as a car.
The level of repair could be "duct tape" up to flawless both parts and how it looks - again where I am.


It's not DIY fixable to be right again I can say that even I'm shocked at how easy it is to get or cause that amount of damage money wise it's not so easy to do that repair,


Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 13, 2020, 5:43 AM

Post #5 of 5 (1844 views)
Re: 2015 Mazda 3 - Damage Assessment (Cosmetic?) Sign In

It looks like you tore the rear bumper away from where it attaches to the quarter panel.

There is an edge on the bumper that snaps into a plastic strip. The plastic strip and the edge of the bumper is likely damaged. There is usually one screw right at the tip attaching the bumper to the quarter that likely got torn out. If you can get it reattached firmly enough, a lot of that white visible damage will wash off the surface with lacquer thinner.



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