Auto body advice needed

I was side swiped 2 days ago, hit and run but I got most of the plate # make, and color of the car that hit me as he took off. Called police and got a police report.

Brought my taco into body shop and they told me passenger fender needs to be replaced with a new one because Toyota is leading the industry in hardened steel and its hard to work on and get all the curves to match up. Fender also needs to be painted and blended in with door.

Does any one know if this is true about Toyota steel being top of the line and leading the industry.? I wasn't hit that hard and the fender folded up like an accordion. I was surprised at the damage and a little disappointed as it didn't seem to get hit that hard.

Is this the best way to fix it?

thanks in advance for the advice!

 

I believe the Cab has plenty of high strength Steel but the fenders should be ordinary steel, probably just less work for them to replace it.

 

When it comes to bodywork replacement will always produce a better product. Especially if you can just replace the entire section. The problem with your accordion description is once the sheet metal creases it is a real PITA to get out and straight again.

 

This.

 

All fenders are thin and relatively cheap. If the body lines are creased, its 100% a better option to get it replaced rather attempt a repair. If its folded up, its gonna need relaced. The door will get blended either way, repair or replacement.

 

I used to be a body and paint man for years and it is much easier to replace a fender than fix it if it is bad, small dents then I wouldn't replace it, but sometimes insurance wants to replace so there is no bad bodywork possible and bondo falling off if its not done right...

 

Thanks guys , appreciate the advice. Meeting with insurance today - hope they take body shops advice and replace the fender. I will request it but don't know if insurance will try to cheap out pay for a fix rather than replacement.

 

I dont know about leading the industry... but when my rear fender got a golf ball sized hole on my 2nd gen, they had to do the whole bed side something to do with the nature of the bed not being steel etc

 

Make sure that you get a new OEM fender. You may have to "fight' the insurance company on this.

 

It looks like you have a 3rd gen as well. You may want to research and consider a Diminished Value claim.

 

Thanks for the advice I researched Diminished Value claim and was told Massachusetts doesn't have it.
I am getting and OEM fender approved by ins and body shop.
Still Sucks hope they catch the hit and run - got most of his plate, color and description of car