Forgot to put the car in park!

[Jmelouise]

So it’s as the title says. I was at the car wash. Parked up so that they could clean it, but realised I hadn’t told them to remember the exhaust. So in a hurry I tried to jump out, only to realise the car wasn’t in park and it started moving. By the time I hit the brake, I’d already hit the metal drums they use to store the water.
Really stupid mistake. I wouldn’t ever usually even take my car to these places, but I’m ill and didn’t fancy washing it in the cold (lesson learned). I’m also blaming the illness for my stupid mistake lol. But obviously, I’m gutted. So anyway, we managed to sort the issue of the broken equipment, by me paying for the damage, instead of claiming on insurance. (My excess would have cost more than the metal drum). But there is some very minor damage to my car. The front number plate holder, of which I’ve already ordered the replacement. And some scratches to the front. My question is, is it worth fixing? I’ve heard body work is very expensive, and it’s not major damage. I’m not sure if I can do anything at home? Pictures attached. Any advice welcome.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

One of your local mobile paint repair outfits should be able to repair and paint smallish bumper areas my estimate of the cost would be £200ish

 

[EmilysDad]

I reckon most of that will polish out

 

[mancman]

T-cut and polish will be fine.

 

[ajlsl600]

Defo go down the clean n polish 1st. Dent out used to come house and do one dent on one panel for 50 quid.

 

[anyweb]

that will definetly improve with a simple T-cut polishing which you could do yourself for next to nothing in cost, the damage could have been a lot worse and could have impacted your light lens, so look on the bright side,

hopefully you recover from your current illness,
cheers
niall

 

[Jmelouise]

that will definetly improve with a simple T-cut polishing which you could do yourself for next to nothing in cost, the damage could have been a lot worse and could have impacted your light lens, so look on the bright side,

hopefully you recover from your current illness,
cheers
niall

thank u. You are right. It could have been so much worse. I will definitely give it a good polish with some t-cut. My number plate case is on its way too. So once that’s replaced, and it’s been polished (within an inch of its life lol), I think it’ll be ok.
Won’t be making that mistake again, that’s for sure! Lol.

 

[ajlsl600]

that will definetly improve with a simple T-cut polishing which you could do yourself for next to nothing in cost, the damage could have been a lot worse and could have impacted your light lens, so look on the bright side,

hopefully you recover from your current illness,
cheers
niall

Yeh if light was bust u wud really be crying. Prob made for 30 quid makers now askin a grand!!! Today's crzp designed for 8 Yr, given prices and sustainability desires one has to wonder if all is designed to last 8 Yr have we I ask really advanced when rover p5, s are still reliable over 60 yrs later!!!
Same with all I have replaced more TV, s in last 15 Yr than in previous 40!!
And I do not replace to follow trends, whatever that may be..

 

[Jmelouise]

Yeh if light was bust u wud really be crying. Prob made for 30 quid makers now askin a grand!!! Today's crzp designed for 8 Yr, given prices and sustainability desires one has to wonder if all is designed to last 8 Yr have we I ask really advanced when rover p5, s are still reliable over 60 yrs later!!!
Same with all I have replaced more TV, s in last 15 Yr than in previous 40!!
And I do not replace to follow trends, whatever that may be..

Things aren’t made to last anymore. They would rather u buy new than repair. I didn’t realise how expensive the light repair would have been!! That’s shocking money! In that scenario I would have had to claim on the insurance. I’ve only just spent £1600 on a new conductor plate! So car funds are running a bit low atm lol. I did see the number plate case, some were up for £60 plus! Which is ridiculous cause there were some that looked identical for £7. I went somewhere in the middle to be safe lol.

 

[ajlsl600]

Things aren’t made to last anymore. They would rather u buy new than repair. I didn’t realise how expensive the light repair would have been!! That’s shocking money! In that scenario I would have had to claim on the insurance. I’ve only just spent £1600 on a new conductor plate! So car funds are running a bit low atm lol. I did see the number plate case, some were up for £60 plus! Which is ridiculous cause there were some that looked identical for £7. I went somewhere in the middle to be safe lol.

V wise,. Its practically impossible to budget for modern car repairs today
Headights a grand, bumpers a grand, adblue, a grand and qiete possibly that every 2 3 yrs sensors are a lottery made by lowest bidders!
The most disturbing think, youth of today just accept that's the way things are, how will they ever get ahead, seems system designed to keep em in various stages of debt.

 

[Jmelouise]

V wise,. Its practically impossible to budget for modern car repairs today
Headights a grand, bumpers a grand, adblue, a grand and qiete possibly that every 2 3 yrs sensors are a lottery made by lowest bidders!
The most disturbing think, youth of today just accept that's the way things are, how will they ever get ahead, seems system designed to keep em in various stages of debt.

That’s exactly it unfortunately. And I don’t see it getting any better in the future.

 

[LostKiwi]

Um that's a 7G+ box isn't it?
I thought they automatically put the car in park if the door was opened (our R does).

 

[Jmelouise]

Um that's a 7G+ box isn't it?
I thought they automatically put the car in park if the door was opened (our R does).

Nope. Not mine. It sometimes put the transmission on ‘hold’ while in drive or reverse. But not when the door is open. Unfortunately lol.

 

[Srdl]

and it’s been polished (within an inch of its life lol), I think it’ll be ok.

Don't overdo it. I once tried to polish out a scratch on a BMW and finished up with the undercoat showing through

 

[ajlsl600]

Um that's a 7G+ box isn't it?
I thought they automatically put the car in park if the door was opened (our R does).

My ml does.

 

[EmilysDad]

Um that's a 7G+ box isn't it?
I thought they automatically put the car in park if the door was opened (our R does).

my ML does ,,,, pretty sure my R Class did not (but that was the older shape on a 07 plate)

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Bit if a kick in the butt ...things to do on stopping 1 stop the car set in nutral ,,, 2 service brake on 3 select park. Never think park is an anchor its not,,

 

[Jmelouise]

Bit if a kick in the butt ...things to do on stopping 1 stop the car set in nutral ,,, 2 service brake on 3 select park. Never think park is an anchor its not,

Funny u say that. One of the garages I’ve been to with my car, advised me to not use the handbrake! They had an older c class and said that they never used it. I do use it however. But I usually put it on, once the car is in park.

 

[AndySlade]

If you don’t use the handbrake, it will seize up from lack of use, needs to be functional for the MOT.

 

[Jmelouise]

If you don’t use the handbrake, it will seize up from lack of use, needs to be functional for the MOT.

The hand brake on my car is odd. So it’s a pedal u push, to put it on. And a lever, just under the steering wheel, to take it off. But if u push the pedal too far it can pop off of the spring, making the pedal not work. This happened to me before, and when I went to the garage about it. They just told me not to use it. And that they couldn’t fix it cause it’s too intricate. So I went home. Watched a YouTube video and fixed it myself lol. Not too intricate, it turns out. Now I use it. But I’m gentle with the pedal.