Used car dealer Swansway Motor Group has urged motorists not to follow a viral TikTok hack that claims motorists can remove dents on their cars for free.

At the same time, the social media site is full of interesting tips and tricks that can help Brits save money by doing tasks themselves rather than seeking the help of a professional.

However, Mark Trevers, collision repair centre manager at Swansway Motor Group, advises motorists not to follow a trick that claims to be able to remove dents with a suction cup.

He explained: “One of the biggest problems with using a plunger is that it can further damage the paint and the underlying structure of the car. The force exerted by the plunger can cause paint to chip and even crack, resulting in additional repair costs.”

“Properly repairing dents in cars often requires specialized tools and expertise. Professionals have the necessary training and equipment to assess the damage, ensure the structural integrity of the vehicle is maintained, and restore its appearance without causing further problems.”

According to the hack, which is gaining popularity on TikTok, drivers who want to remove a dent from their car should attach a plunger and pull to push out the damage.

While this seems like an incredibly simple method of repairing damage, Swansway Motor Group warned that the force required by the plunger could cause the car’s paint to chip or even crack.

In more serious cases, drivers can also damage the structural integrity of their vehicle, resulting in even higher repair costs and requiring the help of a professional.

Rather than taking matters into their own hands, Mark recommends that drivers who want to have dents repaired contact a professional mechanic.

He advises: “In the long run, the ‘quick fix’ of using a plunger can prove to be a costly mistake.”

“It is important to make the safety and integrity of your car a top priority by entrusting dent removal to experts who can properly address the problem, ensuring the long-term value and functionality of your vehicle.”

Although professional dent repair can be quite costly (between £60 and almost £500, depending on the location of the dent), drivers do not risk damaging their car.

Auto body repair professionals often have a wide variety of different tools designed specifically for the task at hand.

In the hands of an expert, the likelihood of these devices causing further problems is much lower and the affected area will look fresh again.