Driving with damaged bumper illegal?

[Devtshed]

Hi,

A friend damaged his car's bumper while entering the driveway (front
left hand corner of the car bumper touched the gate post and damaged
that corner). Will it be still legal to drive or does it have to be
properly repaired or replaced. It's an older car and not very
expensive, but a new bumper would relatively cost a lot.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

[Mike G]

Post by Devtshed
Hi,
A friend damaged his car's bumper while entering the driveway (front
left hand corner of the car bumper touched the gate post and damaged
that corner). Will it be still legal to drive or does it have to be
properly repaired or replaced. It's an older car and not very
expensive, but a new bumper would relatively cost a lot.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

As long as no sharp edges are exposed it'll be OK. If there are, covering
them with duct tape will be enough to avoid any illegality.
Mike.

[PC Paul]

Post by Mike G

Post by Devtshed
Hi,
A friend damaged his car's bumper while entering the driveway (front
left hand corner of the car bumper touched the gate post and damaged
that corner). Will it be still legal to drive or does it have to be
properly repaired or replaced. It's an older car and not very
expensive, but a new bumper would relatively cost a lot.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

As long as no sharp edges are exposed it'll be OK. If there are,
covering them with duct tape will be enough to avoid any illegality.
Mike.

This always seemed daft to me - if anybody rubs up against it (or is hit by
it) hard enough to cut themselves, it would go straight through duct tape
too!

If the bumper is metal and there are sharp edges, hammer them flat. If it's
plastic, cut them out, sand them or 'flame polish' the edges to smooth them
off and it should be fine.

[Mike G]

Post by PC Paul

Post by Mike G

Post by Devtshed
Hi,
A friend damaged his car's bumper while entering the driveway (front
left hand corner of the car bumper touched the gate post and damaged
that corner). Will it be still legal to drive or does it have to be
properly repaired or replaced. It's an older car and not very
expensive, but a new bumper would relatively cost a lot.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

As long as no sharp edges are exposed it'll be OK. If there are,
covering them with duct tape will be enough to avoid any illegality.
Mike.

This always seemed daft to me - if anybody rubs up against it (or is hit by
it) hard enough to cut themselves, it would go straight through duct tape
too!

Nonsense.
Have you ever tried rubbing through duct tape? It's actually quite
difficult. More than enough to prevent injury if brushed against, or even
bumped into quite hard.
Mike.

[a***@derby.ac.uk]

I think as long as it's got no sharp protrusions you'll be okay. I
drove one of my cars around for about 6 months with a royally smashed
front bumper without any problems. It even passed an MOT in this
condition.

Just wait until one in the correct colour turns up at a breaker's yard,
and it shouldn't cost too much to replace it. Mine cost £50, and a
couple of hours of my time.

[Ian]

"Devtshed" wrote in message

Post by Devtshed
Hi,
A friend damaged his car's bumper while entering the driveway (front
left hand corner of the car bumper touched the gate post and damaged
that corner). Will it be still legal to drive or does it have to be
properly repaired or replaced. It's an older car and not very
expensive, but a new bumper would relatively cost a lot.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

According to the MOT Testers Manual website (
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_610.htm ) so long as there are no sharp edges
or projections which renders the vehicle a danger to other road users
including pedestrians, it isn't a problem.

Ian

[Harry Bloomfield]

Post by Devtshed
Hi,
A friend damaged his car's bumper while entering the driveway (front
left hand corner of the car bumper touched the gate post and damaged
that corner). Will it be still legal to drive or does it have to be
properly repaired or replaced. It's an older car and not very
expensive, but a new bumper would relatively cost a lot.

Legal to drive providing there are no sharp edges against which a
person could be injured either passing or if hit by the car.

Duct tape seems to be the temporary repair of choice for damaged
plastic bumbers.

[Phillip Kyle]

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