Have you ever sprained your ankle or wrist? A sprain is when the tissue that connects bones together stretches or tears. However, if the bone cracks or breaks, then it is fractured. This is similar to kinks and bends in damaged cars.
Since 2008, Big Valley Auto Auction has sold vehicles of all conditions. From slightly damaged to completely wrecked, we’ve seen all types of conditions a car could be in. One question car owners usually have when finding damage to their car is whether it has a kink or a bend.
In this article, you’re going to learn the difference between a kink and a bend in a car, examples of each, and whether or not both are repairable.
After reading this article, you’ll have the information needed to tell for yourself if your car is kinked or bent.
Kinks are permanent deformations to a car that will not return to its original shape. If there is still a deformation in the area after straightening it, it indicates that the part is kinked. An example of a kink is the dent in a car’s body after it collides with another vehicle or object. The crack or tear in the metal is considered a kink.
Kinks are not repairable. The affected part must be completely replaced. If the piece is severely deformed, it cannot be restored back to its original strength. This can create safety risks.
A bend refers to any type of deformation or damage to a vehicle’s structure. Bends can be the result of collision or overloading. An example of a bend would be a bend in the bumper after a low-impact collision.
Bends can be repaired. For minor bends in a structural component like the frame, bends can be repaired by straightening. This process involves applying force to the bent area to bring it back to its original shape.
A kink often involves a sharp deformation in the metal, creating edges and sharp corners. However, a bend is more of a curve in the metal's shape.
Below is a chart comparing a kink to a bend in a car.
When you sprain your ankle, you can heal it by resting and applying ice. If the bone is broken, then it’ll require surgery and a cast. This is the same situation as your car being kinked or bent.
Whether you’re new to the automotive industry or you just weren’t sure what the difference between a kink and bend was, you can use this article as a reference for the next time you need to determine the severity of damage your vehicle may have.
If your inventory is full of kinked or bent vehicles and you’re looking for an auto auction to add vehicles to your lot, you can click the button below to speak with our dealer registration specialist to get you registered with Big Valley Auto Auction.
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