Our Process
It's natural to wonder what actually happens once your car's out of sight with us. Every job in our bodyshop — from a small bumper scuff to a full panel replacement — follows the same process, from your first estimate through to final handover. This is what happens behind the scenes, and why it's different from a cheaper repair that cuts corners.
The Estimate
Before any work is booked in, we make sure the right repair route, methods and parts are confirmed — so the estimate you receive is accurate, not a guess.
Inspect the Damage
For simple, cosmetic damage, clear photographs are often enough for us to prepare an accurate estimate. For more involved damage, or where photos don't tell the full story, we'll ask you to bring the vehicle in — an in-person inspection is what lets us give you the most accurate figure.
Identify Any ADAS Systems
We check whether your vehicle has driver-assistance systems (ADAS) fitted, since these often need recalibrating as part of a proper repair.
Confirm Manufacturer-Approved Repair Methods
We check the correct repair method for your specific make and model, rather than applying a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.
Price & Check Parts Availability
Where new parts are needed, we price them and confirm availability before anything is promised to you.
Prepare Your Estimate
A clear, itemised estimate is emailed over for your consideration, with no pressure to commit on the spot.
The Repair
Once you're happy to go ahead, the vehicle moves through the same controlled workshop process every time — starting and ending with a diagnostic scan.
Pre-Repair Diagnostic Scan
We run a full diagnostic scan to capture any existing fault codes, noting anything related to the damage as well as anything unrelated, before work begins.
Digital Colour Reading
An area next to the damaged panel is polished and scanned with our spectrophotometer, to get an accurate reading of your vehicle's true colour.
Colour Match Visualisation
That reading is cross-checked using PPG's Linq visualisation tool, to confirm the closest possible match before any paint is mixed.
Repair & Preparation
The damaged panel is repaired, and the surrounding paintwork is carefully prepared for primer.
Prime, Sand & Mask
Primer is applied and sanded back, and the vehicle is masked ready for painting.
Spraybooth Application
Paint is applied in our controlled spraybooth, away from dust and draughts.
Cure & Refit
Once the paint has cured, trims and fittings are refitted.
Post-Repair Diagnostic Scan
A final scan confirms no fault codes remain related to the work carried out, so your vehicle leaves exactly as it should.
Confirmed before a drop of paint is mixed
Once your vehicle's colour has been scanned, we cross-check it using PPG's Linq visualisation software — comparing your exact colour against the matched formula side by side, under different lighting conditions, so the match is confirmed digitally before any paint is mixed.
This is what separates a repair from a patch-up
A cheaper repair can skip steps — rougher preparation, an approximate colour match, curing at room temperature rather than in a controlled booth, no diagnostic check before or after. The result might look fine on day one, but shows up under different light, ages differently to the surrounding paintwork, or misses a fault the impact actually caused.
Working through this process in full, every time, is what lets us stand behind the finish — whether it's a small scuff repair or a full panel replacement.
