Our 2005 Mini got backed into in a parking lot and the person just drove away

The car got hit on the little panel on the drivers side front fender the one with the side marker blinker on it as well as a small part of the drivers door.

Now there is a burning smell when you turn the steering wheel and the car is just sitting still...I assume the power steering pump is an electrical motor and that is likely the cause of the smell.

Also the drivers window 'pops' when it reaches the end of the travel in the down position.

All of this will be checked out at the Mini dealership once the body work is completed.

Does anyone have any theories as to what the smell is or possibly the window issue?

Any other areas of concern?

Right now my concern is for the smell but also if the front end mechanically was damaged in any way (alignement, tie rod, etc).

The passenger side of the boot is slightly pushed out too but that will be fixed cosmetically.

The body shop stated this car was hit HARD so someone obviously 'felt' the impact...but still left???

The place it was hit has NO security cameras either!...

The kicker too is that this will be covered under our 'collision' policy even though the car wasn't even moving!...we have Allstate and have accrued a $0 collision deductible since we are thankfully good drivers...but now that we use the 'benefit' our deductible resets to the higher amount and we must now reduce it thru no more claims...what a kicker...we weren't even driving the car!!!...oh well...these insurance companies have you coming and going!!!

I'm more venting than anything...but also looking for any ideas on the smell or window.

Thanks for listening to me vent.

Joe.

 

Sounds electrical in nature as you already suspect. Check for blown fuses as it may be from a wire shorting out. The blown fuse may lead you in a direction to search.

I would also canvass for security cameras on that lot. Stores, and bank ATM's, it will help prove your case of hit and run maybe lessen the hit on your ins premiums.