“Simple” Bumper Job No More

As ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features become standard on newer model vehicles, we see a rise in pre- and post-diagnostic scans. Dan Risley, Vice President of ASG Market Solutions, wrote an article titled “It’s just a bumper job.” In the article, he talks about how a bumper job isn’t just a bumper job any longer. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of all crashes in 2019 involved an initial front impact. And it used to be that shops had only a few options relative to a damaged front cover: repair, refinish or replace. The “just a bumper job” phrase was close to the mark. It didn’t require special tools to complete a safe and proper repair. Depending upon the extent of the damage, it could be a relatively simple repair. However, with today’s newer model vehicles, the narrative is different, and simple is no longer simple. Some car manufacturers require a scan and calibration to be completed when the front bumper cover is removed and reinstalled, regardless of the amount of damage or the area impacted. A 2021 model sedan has a 95% likelihood of having advanced emergency braking (AEB) systems, including a sensor that is likely located behind the front bumper cover. By Sept. 1, 2022, AEB will be the standard on all new makes and models. A “simple bumper job” may require specialized scanning and calibration equipment and a technician trained to scan and calibrate the advanced driver assistance systems. CCC’s 2022 Crash Course states that the percent of estimates with a scan grew from 5% in 2017 to 48% in 2021. Read CCC’s 2022 Crash Course to learn more.