Repair or replace · 6 min read
A small hole or puncture in a plastic bumper can often be plastic welded, reinforced from behind and refinished. That is priced like a crack repair, on the size of the hole and the refinishing needed. If the hole is large, a piece is missing or the mounting points around it are broken, replacement may be the better option, with extra work where sensors or radar are fitted.
For drivers with a hole, puncture or small tear in a plastic bumper who want to know if it can be saved and roughly what it costs.
How a bumper ends up with a hole
Most modern bumpers are moulded plastic, which flexes on a light knock but can puncture when it meets something narrow and hard: a tow bar, a post, a bollard or debris on the road. The result is usually a hole with cracks radiating out from it, sometimes with the paint flaked around the edges.
Holes can also appear where a sensor or fixing has been torn out, or where a previous repair has failed. Whatever the cause, the shape of the damage and how much plastic is left around it decide whether welding will give a strong, invisible repair.
How a hole is repaired
- 01Remove the bumper so the back of the damage can be reached.
- 02Clean and shape the edges of the hole and stop any cracks running further.
- 03Plastic weld the damage and add reinforcement on the inside so the repair is strong.
- 04Fill and shape the outside so the original contour is restored.
- 05Prime, paint and lacquer, blending into the surrounding bumper.
- 06Refit the bumper and check sensors, grilles and gaps.
Repair or replace: the deciding factors
- Size: a small puncture is usually repairable; a large missing section often is not.
- Position: holes near mounting points or sensor holes are harder to make strong.
- Other damage: several cracks or tears on the same bumper push the cost towards a new part.
- Equipment: a bumper with radar may need calibration either way, which narrows the gap.
What sets the price
| Job | What sets the price |
|---|---|
| Crack, split or small hole, plastic welding and refinish | Size of the damage and refinish |
| Mounting tab damage, repair and refinish | Number of broken tabs |
| Full bumper replacement | New part, paint and fitting |
| Replacement with sensors or radar | Plus sensor transfer and calibration |
Can you drive with a hole in the bumper
A small hole on its own is usually cosmetic, but loose or sharp pieces of plastic can catch on things and a knock hard enough to hole the bumper may have damaged what sits behind it. If anything is hanging down or rubbing, get it looked at before a longer drive.
Where to go next
Hole in the bumper
Before you order a new bumper, send us photos. We will tell you if it can be welded and what each option costs.
Questions people ask us
- Can a hole in a plastic bumper be fixed?
- Often yes. Small holes and punctures can be plastic welded and reinforced from behind, then filled and painted to match.
- Will the repaired area be strong?
- Welding and reinforcing from the inside is what gives the repair its strength, rather than simply filling the hole from the outside.
- When is a new bumper better than repairing a hole?
- When the hole is large, a section is missing, several mounting points are broken, or repairing everything would cost close to a replacement.
- How do I get a price for a holed bumper?
- Send photos of the hole, the whole bumper and the area behind it if you can see it, with your make and model, by WhatsApp or our quote form. The estimate is free.
Holed bumper costs in short
- Small holes are often plastic welded and refinished.
- It is priced like a crack repair, on size and refinishing.
- Large or missing sections usually mean a new bumper.
- Check for hidden damage behind the bumper.
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