Bent skid plate

[ATB88]

Hey all, I've noticed my skid plate is bent in a few places. It still bolts up fine, but seeing as how this is a structural element of the car, should I be seriously thinking of replacing it?

[Gt4]

You can bend it back to original shape with a heavy rubber mallet. Done it in the past

[ATB88]

Yeah I guess I'm not as concerned about it being cosmetically bent, but rather wondering if it being bent compromises its ability to act as a rigid piece of the chassis that is supposed to distribute structural load? New one's $340.. if I know that it just needs to "be there" but doesn't need to be undamaged to do it's job, then I'll keep the money, otherwise I'd shell out and replace.