Helpful relative tried to change the wheel on my 2014 Ford Focus Zetec. The jack collapsed and made a hole in the plastic as it slipped out. Is there any way of telling whether there is any more damage? Would a mobile mechanic be able to tell?

Any advice gratefully received

Stick some photos up.

It's probably OK though

He can't get underneath to take photos. The hole in the plastic is small. He could get his finger through the hole and could feel a hole in the metal. I think I'll have to get it towed to a gagage.

Towed to a garage? How big is the hole? Surely the car isn't going to break in half just from slipping off a jack?

Usually the sills just get dented when the jack slips. My own car has had a dented sill for the last 8 years, happened before I bought it. Have had several others with previous owners jack damage as well. Interestingly, the only time a car slipped off the jack in my ownership didn't see to do any damage at all.

I'll hold off on the tow for the time being. The hole was a bit bigger than a milk bottle top. The dire warning in the manual says: Use only the specified jacking points.(The jack must have been in the wrong position to make it slip) If you use other positions, you may damage the body, steering, braking system or the fuel lines. Would these show up on the warnings display?

There are drain holes in the chassis. I'm wondering whether the jack head just caught one of them and enlarged it slightly.

If you can get a picture under there we can tell you instantly whether anything critical is damaged.

You'll know if brake lines are damaged when you press the pedal. Fuel lines partly depends on petrol or diesel, but again you should notice. The car can't tell whether steering or body components are damaged. But for the other parts there would be a dash warning eventually.

I really do think it's not as bad as you're expecting though.

Thanks

Further clarification. The hole in the metal is square, The plastic hole is square and attached on one side, The other 3 sides are unattached but covering the metal so it can be felt but not seen.

1 hour ago, Maybug said:

Further clarification. The hole in the metal is square, The plastic hole is square and attached on one side, The other 3 sides are unattached but covering the metal so it can be felt but not seen.

The plastic really doesn't matter. But if there's an extra hole right through the metal sill then that will need to be cut out cleanly and then a new piece of metal welded in.

You will need an independent garage who have a welder working for them. It's not something offered by national chain garages.

As ever, without a picture it's difficult to say just how bad the damage really is. If it's just a dent I wouldn't give it a second thought. But a punctured hole is more serious.

Thank-you for all your input Much appreciated.

14 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

As ever, without a picture it's difficult to say just how bad the damage really is. If it's just a dent I wouldn't give it a second thought. But a punctured hole is more serious.

Everyone is eager to see photos of the hole, surly a phone can fit under the car ? 🕳️ ⛳

i must have read this thread about 5 times and so far, everyone has asked for a photo :D

1 hour ago, froggy8 said:

i must have read this thread about 5 times and so far, everyone has asked for a photo :D

I've come back to see if there is a pic or the car has broken in half

same here, i want to see a photo, that is the reason why i kept coming back to this thread.

Beginning to think this is a windup.