Car body repairs
Published by the Serviced247 editorial teamLast reviewed 24 October 2026
Body repair covers everything from a scuffed bumper to structural work after a collision. It is a separate discipline from mechanical repair, with its own equipment, paint facilities and drying times.
Types of body repair
- Panel repair - reshaping, filling and refinishing damaged metal
- Panel replacement - where repair is uneconomic or unsafe
- Structural repair - chassis and crumple-zone work requiring jigs and measuring equipment
- Refinishing - preparation, colour matching, spraying and lacquering
- Plastic repair - bumpers and trim
Paint matching
Paint is matched from the car's paint code and then blended into adjacent panels so the repair is invisible in daylight. Metallics, pearls and older, faded finishes are harder to match, which is why a good shop blends rather than simply spraying one panel.
Insurance or pay yourself?
For smaller damage, compare the repair estimate against your excess and the likely effect on your no-claims discount before you claim. For anything structural or safety-related, involve the insurer.
Check with your insurer whether using a non-approved repairer affects your cover or any repair guarantee.
What to ask a body shop
- Is the repair guaranteed, and for how long?
- Will the paint be blended into adjacent panels?
- How long will the car be off the road, including drying and reassembly?
- Are replacement panels new, OE or recycled?
- Is any ADAS camera or sensor recalibration needed after the repair?