Ever since 1982, car bumpers have sucked. That's when they relaxed federal standards so that tests are now performed at 2.5 mph instead of 5 and unlimited damage to safety equipment allowed instead of strict requirements. This chart is part of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's status report on new bumper tests and details the repair costs after bumper damage in low-speed test crashes.

Bumpers these days... they're made out of plastic! Even a minor ding means you have to replace the whole piece, or learn plastic welding. — BEN POPKEN

Are Car Manufacturers Compromising On Safety In Favor Of Style? - The Story Of Poor Bumper Design [Money, Matter, And More Musings]