This EV owner was worried their SUV was a total loss after a slight bump | Carscoops

      Based on previous experiences shared by Rivian and Tesla owners, that question isn't entirely baseless.

      20 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      A Rivian R1S driver unintentionally backed into a UPS truck but fortunately didn't incur significant damage.

      Nonetheless, the fender bender left the driver questioning if it could lead to the car being deemed a total loss.

      Recent examples illustrate why this concern might be valid, while others provide a sense of optimism.

      For many, a minor parking accident is merely an inconvenience rather than a serious issue. However, when your vehicle is equipped with sensors, specialized components, and comes with a price exceeding $65,000, a small impact can escalate into something much more stressful. This was the case for a Rivian R1S owner, whose seemingly minor incident now has them anxious that the SUV could be totaled.

      The mishap occurred when the driver accidentally collided with a stationary UPS truck. "I thought I was looking at its shadow in the camera," the driver posted on Reddit. To their credit, it seems they halted quickly after making contact.

      Minor Damage, Major Anxiety

      The rear light bar sustained a crack, and the tailgate has a dent the size of a golf ball. Why would someone be concerned that this damage could total a vehicle worth over $65,000? It's a common anxiety among EV owners in this specific community. About a year ago, we reported on a Rivian R1T that suffered damage to the rear corner of its truck bed.

      The repair bill for that incident amounted to $21,149.16. An R1S owner in the comments shared their own repair cost of $10,803.65 for damage to the upper C-pillar that narrowly avoided breaking the glass. Surprisingly, even though the visible damage seemed to cover less than a square foot, the labor charges alone were $2,322.

      However, there might be some improvement for Rivian owners. In another case from February, the damage appeared almost identical to this recent incident, with repair costs totaling $7,490.34. Additionally, another owner demonstrated in March how they managed to save thousands by performing paintless dent repair (PDR) themselves.

      Others suggested in the comments that this owner consider a similar approach. Light bars like the one they damaged can be found on the second-hand market, and PDR can be priced as low as a few hundred dollars. One comment estimated that the repair costs through a certified shop would be around $15,000, which, while substantial, wouldn't be entirely unexpected for a Rivian.

      Of course, it's possible the original poster is being somewhat facetious. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that even a minor bump in a high-tech electric vehicle can evolve into an unexpectedly complex and costly ordeal.

      Photo Reddit/u/auptown