2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Fri 29 Jul 2016 09:44
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - Josh Brice
Hi all,

I was driving back last night in the dark when I realised that I'd put my seatbelt on in such a way that it was all twisted. Holding onto the wheel with one hand and trying to untwist the seatbelt with the other, the car edged a tad too far over to the left and bumped up and mounted the kerb as I was going along. It was just past a school in a 30 zone (I was most likely doing just under 30) with a fairly low-ish kerb. As the car hopped up on the kerb I slowed down a bit and then turned back on to the road. I completed the journey with no problems what so ever. No unusual noises, no steering problems etc. I had the tracking/wheel alignment done a week or two ago and the car still drives in a straight line with no pulling in either direction. Everything seems to be just the same however I'm unsure as I don't know whether to just leave it or not. The car feels and drives just the same.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 10:09
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - FP
I don't think anyone could be certain about what if any damage was caused, though it's probably nothing serious. If the front wheels were pointing more or less straight ahead at the time there may not be a problem.

However, there may be damage to one or both nearside tyres which is not immediately visible and the tracking may have been thrown out even if the car feels the same. If the latter has happened it will cause premature wear on the front tyres.

Your choice is between: check the nearside tyres very carefully in good light, particularly the side walls - if there's no damage visible, carry on driving but keep checking, especially for uneven wear; or, get the car checked by a garage.

If I had any worries at all about this I'd take the second option.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 10:32
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - Josh Brice
I had 2 new front tyres put on when it went in to have the tracking done, although of course brand new tyres can still get damaged. There's no damage at all to the sidewall or the alloy from what I can see. I may run it down to the garage just for peace of mind.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 10:28
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - John F

If


The car feels and drives just the same ,

No. But check the front springs. They can break unnoticed, only being picked up at the MoT if they break near the end of the coil.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 10:37
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - Josh Brice
Ok thanks, I'll take a look. Doing research online, there's all these horror stories of people smashing into kerbs and having to pay thousands before the car is roadworthy again. Mine wasn't really a smash into the kerb but I'll still have a good look or take it to the garage.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 10:51
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - Josh Brice
Is there any specific checks I can do to tell if there's a broken Spring?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 17:34
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - John F

No. Just look, with a torch and possibly a small mirror. You might have to jack the car up and even take off the wheel to get a decent look. The end of the spring should fit neatly in its cup. It should be obvious if it's broken, it'll have a jagged end. While you're at it, brush it vaguely clean then paint it with old engine oil or grease. Grease the brake pipe ( the metal bit, not the flexible hose) at the same time. I could go on.....bore for England...

Edited by John F on 29/07/2016 at 17:35

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 29 Jul 2016 21:32
2004 Vauxhall Corsa - Hit a kerb- Should I take it to the garage? - slowdown avenue
i had just that yesterday
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide