Serviced247

Car repairs

Published by the Serviced247 editorial teamLast reviewed 24 October 2026

"Car repairs" covers two largely separate trades. Mechanical repair fixes how the car runs and stops. Body repair fixes how it looks and how its structure and panels are put together. Most businesses specialise in one or the other.

Knowing which you need saves a wasted trip and usually a wasted diagnostic fee.

Mechanical repairs

  • Brakes, suspension, steering and exhaust
  • Clutch, gearbox and drivetrain
  • Engine work, cooling systems and cambelts
  • Electrical faults, sensors and warning lights
  • Air-conditioning repair and regas
  • Tyres and wheel alignment (often a specialist fitter)

Body repairs

  • Panel and structural repair after a collision
  • Paint, blending and refinishing
  • Bumper, trim and light-unit replacement
  • SMART repair for small localised damage
  • Windscreen and glass (usually a dedicated specialist)

How repair quotes are built

A repair quote is labour hours multiplied by the hourly rate, plus parts, plus consumables and VAT. Diagnostics are usually charged separately, and paint work adds materials and drying time.

Get the fault identified and written down before comparing prices - quotes for different diagnoses are not comparable.

Price ranges on this page are Serviced247 editorial estimates of typical UK independent-garage pricing. They are not quotes, no garage is bound by them, and they vary by vehicle, parts and location. See our methodology for how we produce them.

Choosing a repairer

  • Ask for an itemised written estimate and an authorisation limit for extra work
  • Ask what warranty covers parts and labour, and for how long
  • For insurance work, check whether using your own repairer affects the claim
  • For body repair, ask about paint matching and how long the car will be off the road
  • Keep all invoices - a documented repair history supports resale value

Repairs and the MOT

MOT failures must be repaired before the car can be driven, other than to a pre-booked test or repair appointment. A DVSA-authorised test station is authorised to test; whether it also carries out repairs is a separate question you need to confirm with the centre.