fender bender

American  

Or fender-bender

noun

Informal.

1. a collision between motor vehicles in which there is only minor damage.

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Etymology

Origin of fender bender

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

A fender bender that would be a simple fix on a traditional vehicle could require an expensive and lengthy repair on an EV to mend the battery and recalibrate the car and its sensors.

From Los Angeles Times

About a month ago, rafters and kayakers were jetting through popular rapids here with names including Black Bottom Falls, Squashed Paddler and Fender Bender.

From Los Angeles Times

What may have once been a simple fender bender has “turned into a major claim,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, when I departed said strip mall and made a left-hand turn across four lanes of traffic, I hit another car—it was worse than a fender bender, but no one was hurt.

From Slate

“A fender bender in the past didn’t have all the sensors and cameras.”

From Seattle Times