We have a 2009 Forester and love it. We have been shopping for an older Subaru for a new driver and drove two today -- a '98 Outback Wagon and a '00 Legacy GT Sedan. One was from a dealership and one owned by an individual.

 

When we put the first on on the rack we noticed an odd damage pattern on the rear bumper. Then entire bumper from top to bottom and end to end was pock-marked with small 3/4 inch circular and hex dents. We puzzled over this curious pattern and landed on the possibility that it had been carelessly hauling a bicycle on a rear rack.

 

Later today I had the second car on the rack and noticed the exact same damage. 

 

Like I said, the vehicles are unrelated except for make. 

 

A Google search yielded no answer. I'm a curious dude, so this is bugging me. Any of y'all Subu-gurus know what caused this?

 

I'm actually going to buy one of the cars. If nobody knows, I'll post a pic after I close the deal on Monday. 

 

Thanks.

Sounds like license plate screw dents. People pull into a parking lot and nudge the car in front of them. On a car that's been around the marks can be all over the place and appear random, but I bet if you measured straight acros all of them would have another mark at almost exactly 7" center to center.

Sounds like license plate screw dents. People pull into a parking lot and nudge the car in front of them. On a car that's been around the marks can be all over the place and appear random, but I bet if you measured straight acros all of them would have another mark at almost exactly 7" center to center.

 

Yep, completely agree. 

Wow. I've had several older cars over the years and never have I seen a rear bumper shredded like these two. It looked like they had both been beaten by the same small socket wrench. But, you are right that the size of the marks are consistent with license plate screws. I wonder if the bumper and/or paint from this time period were more susceptible to damage or something. 

Mine has them all over the place as well.

It's what makes a Subaru a Subaru.

Edited February 24, 201313 yr by Fairtax4me

the cars have nothing in common except .....  too much time in mall parking lots?

i wouldn't think this an artifact of Subarus, i've owned like 50, can take a picture of about 10 right now, worked on many more, and never noticed this.

 

take note both of those cars have headgasket issues - the 1998 is the more ominous of the 2 by a long shot.  purchase wisely.