Damaged car

Updated 06/09/2023

If your car is damaged, it is important to identify the extent and severity of the damage to determine how to handle the car safely.

Damage can immobilise the car or make it unsafe to drive.

Contact an authorised Volvo workshop if your car has been damaged or if it shows signs of damage sustained while parked. If the damage immobilises or severely impairs the car's performance, recovery through a roadside assistance and recovery service is necessary.

Important

Minor damage

Your car can self-diagnose many defects, but it can’t detect all types of damage or predict their consequences. A small impact resulting in superficial damage can disturb components behind the affected area, such as misaligning a parking sensor behind a bumper. It is therefore important to have seemingly minor or superficial damage examined by a trained technician to determine the full extent of the damage.

Immobilising damage

There are several types of damage that can immobilise the car. They include, but are not limited to:

Collision damage
Puncture
Windscreen damage
Water damage
Mechanical failure

Collision damage

After a severe enough collision, the car enters safety mode and needs to be recovered.

Important

If possible, do not try to drive or move the car after a severe collision. If the car poses an acute traffic hazard, an exception can be made to move it a short distance out of immediate danger if the state of the car allows it.

Water damage

Water damage can cause permanent damage to your car and severely affect how well it works.

Important

Simply drying the car out or allowing it to dry will often be insufficient to resolve significant water damage. A trained technician should examine any water damage to determine its full extent and severity.

Mechanical damage

The best way to avoid mechanical failures is to follow the intended use and to regularly maintain your car. It is important to continuously perform check-ups of your car.