Many people confuse the car fender with the bumper. They are not the same. So what’s a car fender and how does it differ from the bumper?
This guide will cover the car fender, what it is and how it differs from the bumper, then will go into the differences based on functionality, location, and cost of repair.
What is a Car Fender?
The car fender covers the wheel. This is especially true in older cars, where it is often a huge part of the front. In new cars, the fender is almost flat against the frame. The intention of the fender is to keep debris from the road that is kicked up by the tires.
As the tire rotates, rocks, debris, dirt, and water are lifted up from the road. As the tires rotate and throw these items up, they may hit nearby vehicles or objects, depending on velocity, and that can cause an incident. The purpose of the fender is to intercept these objects.
Some classic cars have a long fender that is welded on from the front of the car to the back of the car. Now days the fender is often two separate components; it is a front fender and back fender.
Fenders can be composed of a variety of materials. Some are built of ABS, which is a high strength plastic. Other designs can be built from metallic material.
Car Fender Pros
The primary job of the fender is to protect the body of the car. If debris from the moving tires could have free movement, the body would sustain so much more damage that it would need repairs. Your car’s fender provides a barrier to protect both your car and others that are in proximity on the road.
The fender also serves to keep the car from getting too dirty. Because fenders block dust and dirt from being sprayed from the tires while driving, your car will require less washing.
On top of that, vehicle fenders look nice and are integrated nicely into the style of the car. When they are the right fender for the vehicle, the fender should flow well with the rest of the vehicle whenever it is functioning properly.
Car Fender Cons
If a car is repaired and the fender is not put on properly, you’ll notice it. There is a big difference in appearance when the fender sticks out, especially if the color is not an exact match.
Oversized fenders can also easily disrupt the aerodynamics of the car. If you drive fast the resistance can be much more intense, and this can create a sense of instability.
If the fenders are too low, they can even overlap the wheels. This can produce noise and abrasion to the fenders in time.
What is a Car Bumper?
The car bumper is attached to the front or back of the vehicle. It is a body piece that absorbs impact during a crash or collision.
When the bumper absorbs the impact, it protects the car itself and occupants. Bumpers also enhance the look of the car.
The original bumpers were used only for looks, however, engineers quickly figured out they could also stop damage to the car in a crash. Bumpers can also protect pedestrians from injury if struck by the vehicle.
Car bumpers can be made from rubber, heavy-duty plastic, and aluminum. A bullbar can be installed on the bumper.
Bullbars are also known as grille guards, cattle pushers, rammers, or push bumpers. They have a bumper like counterpart, but are better at absorbing impact to allow the front of the car to push against an object and not incur damage.
Car Bumper Pros
The primary function of the bumper is to safe guard the vehicle. It protects the vehicle by preventing excessive damage by absorbing much of the impact. Bumpers are cheaper to repair/replace than body damage without a bumper, so it saves the owner money in the long run.
The bumper also protects pedestrians from severe injury, in the event that they are bumped by a vehicle. It does not do much in a major impact, but it provides some cushion.
Car bumpers can also be visually appealing. Depending on the design of the vehicle, the bumper can add an athletic and sporty look.
Car Bumper Cons
If the bumper is not repaired correctly, like a fender, it can look ugly. If the bumper needs replacement, you need to take it to a quality body shop, and get a look/style that matches the car.
If there is a bullbar, it can do extra damage to other vehicles in an accident. It can also do further damage to any pedestrian being hit.
In addition, bullbars are not legal for all uses, and you will need to check local laws. Also, a bullbar adds some weight to the car, which could affect on-road handling.
Car Fender vs. Car Bumper: Main Differences
#1. Functionality.
Both the fender and bumper serve to protect part of the vehicle; however, the ways that they protect the vehicle are different.
The bumper protects the body of the vehicle from damage after an impact. The fenders protect the body of the vehicle from debris that the wheels throw up.
#2. Location.
Almost all vehicles will have front and rear bumpers with the rear bumper being the part that sits over the back of the vehicle and the front bumper providing coverage over the front of the vehicle.
The fenders are sitting over the wheel wells, meaning most vehicles will have four fenders.
#3. Cost of Repair.
Repairing a fender can cost anywhere from $250 to $5,000. If all you have is minor scratches and dents, it will be at the lower range. If the damage is severe, of course, it may be more costly—and your worst-case scenario is that the fender needs to be replaced.
While it will reasonably be less expensive to repair than replace a fender, if a fender can be repaired, that is the best option: you don’t have to have the new fender painted and then color matched to the vehicle.
Repairing and/or replacing a bumper can quickly add up as well. If the bumper has a simple dent or scratch that can be repaired, it shouldn’t be more than a couple of hundred dollars, as it could be paintless dent repair.
If you have extensive damage, repairs could run up the costs again, but make sure to remember that bumpers now also include lights, warning sensors, and other hardware due to advanced equipment in bumpers.
Again, bumper replacement costs more unless the damage is simply major because it, like the fender, is certainly always less expensive to have repaired versus replaced. You must always try to have it repaired.
In both cases, it will depend somewhat on the type of vehicle you have and where you take it, and the cut rate or low ball labor charge can be anywhere from $65 to $250 an hour, too, depending on where you are, unless you are doing the repairs yourself.