How do I find a trust-worthy accident repair centre?

There are many variables to consider when searching for a reliable and trust-worthy garage to carry out repairs to your vehicle. Whilst it might be tempting to go with the cheapest quote you receive, you can’t put a price on safety!

• Material quality, and whether parts are genuine or second-hand – Some repairers may use non-genuine or second-hand parts to keep repair costs low, even where this is not the safest option. At CARS, we recommend the use of genuine parts, specific to your vehicle’s make and model.
  
  
• Repair or replace? – Whilst a less intrusive repair method may be better for the vehicle and the environment in some cases, there are many instances where a vehicle part becomes compromised and should therefore be replaced.
  
  
• Adhering to manufacturer repair methods – When making your choice, you should establish which garages use manufacturer repair methods during the repair process. Whilst the cost of a repair will depend on whether or not the repairer follows manufacturer guidelines, safety is more important.
  
  
• Labour rate – Labour rates can vary from business to business. You will often find that main dealers are more expensive due to their guaranteed workflow, whereas independent body shops are more likely to offer a discounted rate to attract and retain customers.
  
  
• Estimate quality and attention to detail – To ensure that all repairs are carried out to the highest standard, the journey of high quality must start at the point of estimate. For example, estimators should be highly-skilled, and have access to manufacturer repair methods and specific data for your vehicle. For example, your neighbour may have an identical car to you based on appearance, but yours might have lane assist or automatic braking. It’s important your estimator knows the difference!

The aim of any high-quality vehicle body repair centre is to ensure the vehicle would behave the way the manufacturer intended if involved in an accident.

To help you choose the right garage with confidence, take a look at our guide: Questions to Ask About Your Vehicle Repair Guarantee.