What Car? Q&A - After a bump, what should I check for?

Q: My car suffered a bump in a car park last week. The offending motorist didn't leave any details and the only damage is a three-inch smear of white paint deposited by the other vehicle. What should I check for?
Frank McGarvey

A: Check the that the bumper still lines up with the wheel arch, and that it doesn't move when you apply light pressure with the heel of your hand around the bumper edge. This should ensure that the bumper is secure and that no structural damage has been sustained. If you are in any doubt, seek the advice of a specialist bodyshop.

If the damage sustained was more than you had originally thought, you might want to survey the area for CCTV coverage, and approach the council or car park operator with a request to discover who damaged your car.

If the paint smear was the only damage sustained, rubbing the affected area with a cutting agent such as T-Cut, or even ordinary car polish, is normally effective in removing the blemish.