The Ultimate Guide to Body Repair

So, are you trying to find a body repair garage and don’t know what to expect?

The experience of being in a car accident can be stressful and traumatic and there are many decisions you need to quickly make after you’ve ended up in one. We’ve created this guide to help you better understand the body repair process, and achieve your ultimate goal – getting your car back to pre-accident condition.

1. What to Do After a Car Accident

2. What to Do When Your Accident Damage Isn't Repaired Properly

3. 5 Collision Repair Myths

4. 3 Reasons You Should Quickly Repair The Dents on Your Car

What to Do After a Car Accident

You hope to not end up in an accident, and you may be in complete denial that it could ever possibly happen to you.

STEP 1 - STOP

The first thing you must do is stop and turn off your engine. If you fail to do this you'll be committing an offence.

You then should switch your hazard lights on, and use your hazard triangle if necessary to let other road users know that there has been a car incident.

STEP 2 - CHECK FOR INJURIES

Check for any injuries to yourself or your passengers and the other parties. If it's just a minor collision and there aren't any injuries, take a note of it just in case anyone tries to claim for an injury. Call the police and an ambulance immediately if anyone has been hurt or if the road is blocked.

STEP 3 - STAY CALM

Immediately after an accident, especially if it wasn't your fault, your temper may be running high but you need to remain calm, take your time to take deep breaths to keep your cool. Do not immediately admit responsibility for the accident and don't apologise unless you're absolutely certain it was your fault. The other party may use your words against you!

A first-class body repair shouldn't look like it's been repaired, it should look as though it's brand-new.

INSPECT YOUR CAR AFTER REPAIRS

You should check damage repairs, as you are entitled to inspect repairs before paying for the work or authorising the insurance to pay for the repairs. If the damage was severe, we would encourage you to take your car for a short test drive. The things you should look out for during this test drive:

The wheel alignment is correct
The headlights are working
The steering is normal
Your car isn't making any strange noises.

By learning these false common myths about collision repair, you will know how to avoid wasting your money.

Here is a list of the most common collision repair misconceptions you should be aware of:

1. YOUR CAR CAN NEVER BE REPAIRED AFTER A COLLISION

The Truth: Even if your chassis is damaged, your car is still repairable.

Most modern cars have a unibody frame, which means the body itself is part of the frame. Unibody frame damage is easier to repair because new car frames come in several parts.

So, if one part of the car is damaged, a body repair technician can simply repair the damaged piece. And, they can get your car back safely on the road in no time.

2. TAKING YOUR CAR TO INDEPENDENT BODY REPAIR SHOPS CAN VOID ITS WARRANTY

The Truth: Any service provider can perform repairs covered under your warranty.

All you need to do is save the receipts as proof of the services done and the amount you paid. Warranties will not be voided this way. In fact, it may end up being more convenient for you in the long run. The only way the warranty can be invalid is if the servicing was not completed on time.

Although ignoring the minor dents in your car may seem like you're saving yourself some money, in the long term it will end up costing way more than you bargained for.

Minor dents could eventually become a serious issue when left unattended. Dealing with minor dents may seem a simple task, what you need are highly experienced technicians using the latest state-of-the-art equipment.