Guides · Buying Guide
Bumpers and Body Panels: What to Check Before You Buy
Body panels are where used parts make the most financial sense — a good second-hand bumper is a fraction of a new one and nobody can tell once it is on. But it is also where people get caught, because the damage that matters is often not the damage you can see in the photo.
Colour is the easy part
Do not buy a panel because it is the right colour. Paint fades differently depending on how a car has lived, and two panels of the same factory code can look noticeably different after ten years in this sun. Assume any panel will be painted, and treat a colour match as a bonus rather than a plan.
Check the mountings, not the face
The face of a bumper is what shows in a photo. The tabs, brackets and clips behind it are what decide whether it fits. A bumper with three broken tabs will sit proud at one corner no matter how good the paint is, and no amount of filler fixes that. Ask for a photo of the back.
- Ask for a photo of the reverse side, not just the front
- Check the tabs and mounting brackets are intact
- Confirm the clips are present or budget for new ones
- Look for stress cracks radiating from mounting points
Match the specification, not just the model
A bumper with fog lamp cutouts will not suit a car without them, and a sport trim front end usually differs from the standard car. Parking sensor holes, camera cutouts and washer jets all vary. Tell us the trim as well as the model.
- Fog lamp cutouts present or not
- Parking sensor holes and how many
- Sport or standard front end
- Washer jet holes on the bumper
The facelift trap
Same as with lights: a mid-life facelift usually changes the front bumper and grille while leaving the doors and wings alone. Two cars that look the same from the side can need different front bumpers.
Frequently asked
Do I need to get a used bumper painted?
Almost always, yes. Assume paint is part of the cost. A colour match on a used panel is a bonus, not something to count on.
What should I check on a used bumper?
The mounting tabs and brackets on the back, the clips, and whether the cutouts match your car — fog lamps, parking sensors and washer jets all vary by trim.
Will a bumper from a different year fit?
Only within the same facelift period. A facelift usually changes the front bumper and grille even when the rest of the body is unchanged.
Need this part for your car?
Send your chassis number on WhatsApp and we confirm fitment and price.
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