Parking lot dings: how to prevent your new car from getting one

Are you wary of public parking lots because you don’t want your new car to get damaged? If so, you can minimize the risk by carefully picking your spot.

While entirely parking away from other vehicles is a good strategy for protecting your car from getting dinged, it’s not always possible. Here are some tips for choosing a safe parking spot.

• Look for new and high-end cars. It’s a pretty safe bet that their owners are just as concerned as you are about their paint jobs.

• Park near compact cars. Small cars have smaller doors, which reduces the risk of them getting slammed into yours. By the same token, avoid parking near two-door cars, which tend to have bigger doors.

• Avoid cars with child seats. Parents may push their car door against your vehicle while strapping kids into their seats.

Finally, avoid parking at the end of a row and the narrow parking spaces created when cars park too close to the lines. These spots leave your vehicle more exposed to potential damage.