Ever had that heart-stopping moment when you hear a crunch while parking? You’re not alone! Many people accidentally damage their cars in garages or car parks. Tight spaces, distractions, and misjudging distances can lead to costly repairs.
So, what are the most common causes, and how can you avoid them? Here’s what you need to know.
Top Reasons People Smash Their Cars in Garages & Car Parks
🚗 1. Misjudging Distance
Garages and parking spots can be tighter than they seem. Misjudging how much space you have can lead to scraping walls, hitting poles, or even bumping into other cars.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Use your mirrors, take it slow, and if you’re unsure, get out and check before moving further. Parking sensors or a reversing camera can also help.
🚗 2. Rushing & Not Paying Attention
In a hurry to get home? Rushing into a garage or reversing too fast in a car park is a recipe for disaster.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Always take your time when parking. Slow and steady wins the race (and saves your bumper!).
🚗 3. Blind Spots & Poor Visibility
Sometimes, objects, poles, or even low-hanging shelves in your garage can be hard to see, especially in dim lighting.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Improve your garage lighting and use your side mirrors properly. If your car has blind-spot detection, turn it on!
🚗 4. Opening Doors Too Wide
Banging your door into a wall or another car is a common (and frustrating) mistake.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Park with enough space to open your door carefully. If it’s tight, get out slowly or even climb out passenger-side if needed.
🚗 5. Reversing Without Checking Properly
Many people rely only on their reversing camera, but they don’t always show everything—especially low objects like bollards or shopping trolleys.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Always look over your shoulder, check mirrors, and reverse slowly. A quick double-check can save you a headache.
🚗 6. Getting Distracted
Looking at your phone, fiddling with the radio, or chatting with a passenger while parking can lead to minor accidents.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Stay focused until you’ve fully parked. Everything else can wait!
🚗 7. Hitting the Garage Door or Wall
Misjudging when to stop in a garage can result in hitting the front wall or closing the roller door on your car’s boot.
🔹 How to Avoid It: Put a tennis ball on a string as a marker or use a rubber bumper on the wall as a stop guide.
Simple Tricks to Avoid Parking & Garage Accidents
✅ Go Slow – Rushing increases the chance of a mistake.
✅ Use Your Mirrors & Camera – But don’t rely on them alone—turn your head and check blind spots.
✅ Improve Garage Visibility – Add better lighting and use guides like foam bumpers or floor markers.
✅ Take Your Time – Parking isn’t a race. A few extra seconds can save you hundreds in repairs.
✅ Stay Focused – No phones, no distractions—just park first.
✅ Practice Makes Perfect – If you struggle with tight spots, practice reversing into a space when it’s quiet.
Need a Dent or Scratch Repaired? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you’ve had a minor scrape or dent in your garage or car park, Smash Repair Mobile can fix it fast! Whether it’s a small bumper scuff or a larger repair, we come to you and get your car looking brand new.
