mechanics.trade
Bodywork and accident repair
Body repair covers everything from a scraped bumper to structural work after an accident.
What bodywork repair means
A body shop straightens or replaces panels, prepares and paints them, and matches the colour to the rest of the car using the paint code. Cars with aluminium panels or bonded structures need specific equipment and training.
What the job covers
- Panel repair and replacement
- Insurance and private accident work
- Chassis and alignment straightening
- Rust treatment and welding
- Courtesy car while the work is done
When you might need it
- A dent, scrape or scuff you would like taken out before selling.
- Damage after a knock, whether or not you are claiming on insurance.
- Rust bubbling through, particularly around wheel arches and sills, which spreads if left.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically £300 to £3,000.
- Panel size and paint. A metallic or three-stage pearl costs more to match than a solid colour.
- Replacing a panel usually costs more than repairing one, but is sometimes the better result.
- Structural work needs jigs and measuring equipment and is priced accordingly.
How long it takes
A small panel repair is two to three days including paint curing. Accident repair can run to weeks depending on parts.
What the MOT data shows
Out of 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025, these are the parts covered by this job that testers recorded as faults.
| Part | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Condition | 1,903,139 |
Common questions
Will the colour match?
A body shop mixes to your paint code and then blends into neighbouring panels so the join is invisible. On faded older paint, blending matters more than the code.
Do I have to use the insurer's approved repairer?
Generally you may choose your own repairer, though the insurer may have conditions. It is worth asking both before you decide.
Is rust repair worth doing?
Caught early it is a small job. Left alone it spreads under the paint and becomes a structural MOT failure.