hood latch

[sullij@att.net]

For five years I had a hood latch which consisted of the spring / pin and no 
safety latch. A month ago I replaced it with a new component, including the 
latch. After picking up my car from a state inspection, I found that the latch 
was bent. I suspect that the shop shut to bonnet / hood and the latch was too 
far back when the hood was closed.

Was the latch that weak during the original production? Any suggestions / 
recommendations for improvement here?

Thanks,

John Sullivan