Hi guys
I'm new here and I have to say this forum has been tremendously helpful!

I went off roading here near Bloemfontein after some heavy rains and while I was wading through some relatively deep water I heard a scrapy clunk under the car. Checking afterward it seems as if I snagged the fuel tank on a submerged rock. It left about a palm-sized dent along the corner of the fuel tank cover.
I'll add a pic
I was wondering if this damage to the tank is something to be worried about?
Has it happened to any of you?
And are there any tips avoiding this kind of unnecessary damage in the future!
Thanks!!

Fit a tank guard

as above ^

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I'll definitely be going in for something like that as soon as I can find one here in SA!

You guys reckon I have anything to worry about with the nick I made in the tank?

Hard to say from the picture but is it the heat shield you have caught not the tank? FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

The tank is a 6-layer laminate and sits in a steel cradle designed to protect the leading edge from damage, so I doubt that you have anything to worry about.

Thanks for all the input!

Yes seems more like the heat shield!
Okay great if its that strong I'm much less worried but I'll definitely be more cautious wading in the future!

I've fitted guards to mine and I haven't taken it anywhere to cause much damage yet. I just didn't fancy ripping the fuel tank off!

Hit something hard enough and you will shift the tank backwards several inches - in my case the tanks is a couple of inches back from the "traditional" position. Actually quite difficult to puncture, but could possibly get detacted if you try hard enough.

Fit a tank guard and have fun. You will end up taking the guard off on a regular basis as it fills with mud/clay and the exhaust bakes it solid. The exhaust then contacts the baked clay making a drumming noise that drives you crazy - still better than ripping the tank off.

The guards shown are Mantec. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

or you bend it such that it contacts with the exhaust (!) still trying to find someone to flatten it back for me... 2000 Xei 1.8 gone
2004 HSE Td4 Auto, MT's, sump guard, sliderz - gone
2014 GS Man - AT's, Mantec Sump guard and tank guard, split charger in boot, towbar, work in progress...

You will probably have bent the rear brackets that space the guard off the body as well.

Hitting the guard with a sledge hammer to straiten it will just work up a sweat, a large (>5 tonne) press will do the job. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner