Rivian Owner's DIY Fix Saves Thousands Following Incident and Imparts a Valuable Lesson | Carscoops

      For those who prefer to avoid waiting weeks for repairs or the risk of their Rivian SUV or truck being totaled by insurance, there is an alternative method.

      Approximately 24 hours ago, Stephen Rivers reported that Rivians and other electric vehicles can be expensive to repair after an accident, prompting one owner to take matters into his own hands.

      He replaced a damaged tail light and used paintless dent repair to restore body damage himself.

      This approach could prove to be a practical option for R1S and R1T owners in similar circumstances.

      How many times have we heard Rivian owners express frustration over spending significant amounts—sometimes even large sums—on seemingly minor repairs following a collision or incident? Dominic Wilkerson utilizes his Rivian R1T as the off-road vehicle it was designed to be, which has led to a few mishaps on the trails.

      In a recent event, he accidentally broke his rear tail light and tailgate. Instead of going to Rivian for a costly repair, he opted to do it himself. The outcome? His total expenses were under $1,000, and the truck is nearly as good as new.

      As Wilkerson notes, many Rivian owners understandably live in fear that even minor damage might lead to a total loss. This concern isn’t unfounded; rear-end damage to a Rivian can be both expensive and intricate to repair, as has been demonstrated repeatedly. However, Wilkerson was determined not to accept that fate passively and took control of the situation.

      The Repair Process: Easier Than It Sounds

      First on his agenda was obtaining a tail light, which he purchased from Rivian’s Seattle service center for $700. In the video below, he illustrates the process of replacing the part. In essence, it’s a straightforward task that most car enthusiasts and amateur mechanics can handle. The truly challenging part was addressing the dents on his tailgate.

      Fortunately, he was well-acquainted with paintless dent repair. Although he didn’t perform the repair himself, he enlisted a skilled PDR professional for assistance. For only $200, the technician was able to remove the significant dents from his tailgate and smooth out some flaws.

      While Wilkerson admits the result isn’t technically flawless, it’s the type of repair that would likely go unnoticed from a distance of 10 feet. He now feels a sense of pride in the “battle scars,” which serve as proof that his truck is being used for its intended purpose.

      Why Not Use Insurance?

      Some readers may wonder why Wilkerson didn’t file an insurance claim. He addressed this concern as well. “Going through the entire process would leave me without my vehicle for weeks,” he explained. This is a legitimate worry; considering the long repair wait times at Rivian service centers, it’s understandable that many owners wish to avoid the hassle altogether.

      Additionally, insurance companies are declaring more vehicles as totaled than before. A recent report indicated a 42 percent higher chance of damage resulting in a total loss compared to a few years ago. While Wilkerson’s situation may not have warranted such an outcome, his chosen method ensured that it wasn't a possibility.