How long do car body repairs take? What to expect after an accident.
Following a car accident, the uncertainty surrounding repair timelines can be a source of stress. Factors like parts availability, salvage potential, and insurance estimate processing times all contribute to the unpredictability of the situation.
While exact durations can depend on the severity of damage and whether or not a SMART repair is the solution, understanding general timelines for repairing different aspects of your vehicle can provide a helpful guide. Let’s delve into the intricacies of car bumper repairs, car scratch repairs, dent repairs, and additional car bodywork repair considerations to offer insight into what you can anticipate during the repair process.
Bumper Damage Repairs
Collisions often target the bumper, making it a common casualty in car accidents. Depending on how severe the bumper damage is, a minor repair for bumper scuffs or bumper scrapes could fix the issue. If the bumper damage is not something that can be fixed with a SMART repair then a specialist bodyshop or accident repair centre would be required. Once your bodyshop identifies the required parts and communicates with the insurance company, the repair process kicks off. If the bumper can be salvaged, it undergoes meticulous sanding, crack welding, and repainting. The painting and curing stages, variable based on the extent of damage, can take several hours. Generally, minor bumper repairs will conclude within a day, while more extensive ones could require 3 or more days for a full restoration at an auto bodyshop.
Car Scratch Repairs
The duration of panel and car scratch repairs hinges on the depth of the damage. Minor scratches may undergo a quick repainting and filling process with a SMART repair, resulting in same day return. Deeper scratches can require preparation of surrounding panels, including removing mirrors and handles, and extending the timeline to 2 to 3 days at a bodyshop.
Dent Repairs
Addressing vehicle dents involves varying timelines. Small car dents, efficiently removed with Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) equipment, can be resolved within a day. Larger dents, necessitating specialised equipment and potential panel replacement, may extend the repair duration to approximately two weeks at a workshop.
Car Bodywork Repairs
Beyond minor dent repairs and the car painting process, certain accidents might necessitate replacing parts or components like lights, mirrors, or windscreens. Accounting for these replacements ensures a complete restoration, promoting the safety and functionality of your vehicle. Minor alloy wheel damage can be repaired the same day by a SMART repair technician if your wheel has suffered kerb rash or minor damage. Alloy wheel restoration may be required to extend to several days for cracks, dents or buckles in the wheel or for more specialist diamond cut alloy wheel repairs.
If your vehicle requires minor car body or paintwork repairs, our team of Fresh Car SMART Repair technicians are here to help across the UK. Our specialists bring the bodyshop to you. Think of our vans as mobile workshops that have all the tools and equipment including paint match technology, to ensure high quality bodywork repairs on your doorstep.
Our IMI certified technicians can complete minor car repairs the same day, and we prioritise getting your car back on the road swiftly. For a FREE, no obligation quote contact us today and one of our specialists will get back to you with an estimate for repairs.