5 of the Most Easily Damaged Parts of a Car (2024)

When a car is in an accident, many things will damage parts of the vehicle. Some of these parts aren’t as durable as others and will receive most of the damage from the impact. Easily damaged pieces will need more repairs and possible replacements, as any malfunctioning part poses an increased risk of another accident.

The Windows

Since they consist of glass, the windows are some of the most fragile parts of a car. Unlike the windshield, the glass used in car windows isn’t meant to sustain large amounts of pressure and will easily shatter when impacted, whereas the windshield will fissure before actually breaking. Windows are essential to keeping the natural elements out of the vehicle and keeping the vehicle itself secure.

The Doors

Given that most vehicles have four doors, these are one of the most easily damaged parts of a car. The doors have a metal exterior and a plastic interior, giving them two layers of density, but they will still receive damage if a vehicle is hit from the side. Many accidents involve a car getting sideswiped or t-boned, and the doors will bend and become misshapen in these instances, causing them to jam.

The Bumper

The bumper will take most of the impact when a vehicle is hit from the front or back. The bumper sticks out more than other parts, such as the grille or lights, so it is the first to get hit in a head-on collision. A damaged bumper will leave your vehicle defenseless against objects that can scrape the bottom of your car and cause leakage.

The Hood

A car’s hood is heavy, but it is also thin compared to other parts of the vehicle, making it of the most easily damaged part of a car. When the bumper or the car’s front takes damage, the hood crumples. Without your hood, you have a vulnerable engine block. If any damage occurs there, your vehicle will have numerous problems that will call for replacement car parts.

The Wheels

The wheels of a car have multiple pieces that make it function, such as the axle and suspension. We use the wheels for braking or swerving in a crash, which puts pressure on the tires and the wheels’ mechanical parts. The damage may come from the stress on these parts or the impact; regardless, your car won’t drive without working wheels.

Many things will go wrong during an accident. And the parts of your car that will suffer the most are all essential, so be sure to keep these parts in mind.

5 of the Most Easily Damaged Parts of a Car (2024)

FAQs

5 of the Most Easily Damaged Parts of a Car? ›

Some of the most important car parts include the engine, transmission, wheels and tires, brakes, suspension, and electrical system.

What part of the car gets damaged the most? ›

The Most Commonly Damaged Car Parts
  • Front & Rear Bumpers. Since most accidents involve at least one vehicle traveling forward, the front bumper is the first and most likely to receive the impact. ...
  • Fender. ...
  • Hood & Trunk Lid. ...
  • Front and Rear Doors.
Dec 27, 2017

What are the 5 most important parts of a car? ›

Some of the most important car parts include the engine, transmission, wheels and tires, brakes, suspension, and electrical system.

What damage to cars is most common? ›

One of the most common types of car damage is exterior deterioration (impairments to the vehicle's outer shell). Surface-level dents, scratches, and paint chips are examples of minor exterior damage, often caused by low-speed collisions or minor impacts.

What is the most fragile part of a car? ›

5 of the Most Easily Damaged Parts of a Car
  • The Windows. Since they consist of glass, the windows are some of the most fragile parts of a car. ...
  • The Doors. Given that most vehicles have four doors, these are one of the most easily damaged parts of a car. ...
  • The Bumper. ...
  • The Hood. ...
  • The Wheels.
Apr 25, 2022

What 4 parts of a vehicle causes most accidents? ›

Which Car Parts Cause the Most Accidents?
  • Tires. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), worn out tires account for over 35 percent of all car accidents. ...
  • Brakes. ...
  • Lights. ...
  • Suspension. ...
  • Steering. ...
  • Belts. ...
  • Wipers. ...
  • Fuel System.
Mar 15, 2022

What part of a car fails the most? ›

The Seven Most Commonly Defective Car Parts
  • Seat Belts. The seat belt is one of the most important safety innovations in modern vehicles. ...
  • Airbags. ...
  • Door Latch Mechanisms. ...
  • Fuel Pump. ...
  • Steering Components. ...
  • Braking Systems. ...
  • Windshield Wipers. ...
  • Headlights.
Jul 14, 2021

What part of a car breaks the most? ›

Which Car Parts Wear Out the Fastest?
  • Windshield & Wiper Blades. Windshield wipers are likely to wear out faster than any other car part. ...
  • Battery. The battery is what gives the engine a jolt of electricity to start up when you turn the ignition. ...
  • Spark Plugs. ...
  • Light Bulbs. ...
  • Fuel Pump. ...
  • Tires.

What is the weakest part of a car? ›

Other weak possibilities are most skins (1/4 panels and doors) depending on where struck as flat sections are very weak compared to folded/creased areas. The weakest part of a car is the windshield or the hood.

What is the most vulnerable part of a car? ›

#1. Fenders & Headlights

This means that they will shatter and break much more easily than the rest of your fender or bumper. Luckily, your headlights are also one of the easiest and most affordable parts of your car to repair.

What cars don't get damaged easily? ›

By NHTSA-defined segment, the least susceptible are “micro cars” like the Smart ForTwo and Scion iQ, “mini sports cars” such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and “midsize station wagons” like the Subaru Outback, all three of which are 21 percent less damage-susceptible, followed by pickup trucks and SUVs, 14 percent and 13 ...

What is the most expensive damage on a car? ›

An entire engine rebuild is often considered one of the most expensive repairs a car owner may face. Whether due to mechanical failure, worn-out components, or neglectful maintenance, the cost of rebuilding an engine can be staggering.

What breaks most often in car? ›

The 10 most common breakdown causes
  • A flat or faulty battery. Battery trouble is often the main cause of breakdown issues. ...
  • Alternator faults. ...
  • Damaged tyres or wheel. ...
  • Electrical problem. ...
  • Keys and alarms. ...
  • Misfuelling. ...
  • Clutch cables on manual vehicles. ...
  • Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Jan 3, 2023

What is the most difficult car part to repair? ›

Engine Replacement

Greatly considered to be the most difficult automotive repair, replacing an engine is incredibly expensive.

Why do cars damage so easily? ›

That's because of what are known as crumple zones. Crumple zones are built into cars, and they are designed to make the car purposely crumple in upon impact. Most cars are designed to shield the occupants of the car, to prevent the crumpling from intruding on the passenger cabin.

What is one of the top 5 causes of accidents in the IS? ›

Avoid These Top Causes of Traffic Accidents:
  • DISTRACTED DRIVING. Research at the American Automobile Association's Traffic Safety Division says that between 25-50% of all motor car accidents are caused by distracted driving. ...
  • DRUNK DRIVING. ...
  • SPEEDING. ...
  • AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. ...
  • INCLEMENT WEATHER.

What part of the car produces the most accidents? ›

Tires that are all worn out are a common cause of car accidents. The NHTSA has recorded that a whopping 35% of car accidents have been caused by worn tires.

What are the 3 most common accidents? ›

Significantly, the top three types of car accidents – rear end, angle, and sideswipe crashes – are most likely to lead to injuries.

What car part breaks the most? ›

Here are car parts that tend to break down easily.
  1. Brakes. Brakes are one of the most vital components of your car, and no driver can drive a vehicle with dysfunctional brakes. ...
  2. Engine and Transmission. ...
  3. Tires and Wheels. ...
  4. Battery. ...
  5. Shock absorbers. ...
  6. Air Filter. ...
  7. Headlights and Tail Lights. ...
  8. Wiper Blades.
Feb 24, 2023

What makes a car unfixable? ›

A car becomes unrepairable when it sustains damage that compromises its structural integrity or when repair costs exceed its value. This includes a severely bent frame, extensive corrosion, the deployment of airbags, severe engine or transmission system damage, and more.

What parts of a car are most likely to fail? ›

  • Timing belts. The belt's teeth can sheer off or it can snap in two or more pieces, leading to catastrophic engine failure and costly full engine rebuild. ...
  • Brake system. ...
  • Radiators and radiator hoses. ...
  • Alternators. ...
  • Water pumps. ...
  • Shock absorbers. ...
  • CV joints.
Aug 31, 2020

What side of a car gets hit the most? ›

While front-end and rear-end collisions are the most common types of traffic collisions, the passenger side is more likely to be hit in a side-impact collision. When making a left turn at an intersection, the passenger side is exposed to potential impact due to crossing the opposite traffic flow.

What breaks most often on a car? ›

Here are car parts that tend to break down easily.
  • Engine and Transmission. ...
  • Tires and Wheels. ...
  • Battery. ...
  • Shock absorbers. ...
  • Air Filter. ...
  • Headlights and Tail Lights. ...
  • Wiper Blades. ...
  • Spark Plugs. Spark plugs are behind the ignition in the engine.
Feb 24, 2023

Where do cars get hit the most? ›

Most car accidents happen near the victim's home, including in neighborhoods or on rural roads. Intersection and parking lot crashes are also common. Drivers and passengers should take safety precautions, such as using seatbelts whenever they get in the car, regardless of their destination.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Laurine Ryan

Last Updated:

Views: 5746

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Laurine Ryan

Birthday: 1994-12-23

Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

Phone: +2366831109631

Job: Sales Producer

Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.