When you are involved in a car accident, it is difficult to predict how long the repairs process will take. There are many variables involved, such as whether replacement parts are needed, if existing parts can be salvaged, and how long it will take to communicate with your insurance company to receive a repair estimate. Whilst you cannot know for sure how long repairs will take for your vehicle, there are some guidelines around how long it will take to repair each part of your vehicle you can use to have a rough idea of when to expect it back. Allow us to explain in further detail.
Car bumper repairs
When you are involved in a collision, one of the most common impact points will be the bumper, so it is not unusual for this area to have suffered the most damage. Once your repair shop knows what parts it needs and communicates this to the insurance company, it can order these parts and the repair process can begin. If the bumper can be repaired, it will need to be removed and sanded down to smooth the surface. Any cracks will need to be welded back together before repainting can take place to make sure that the original damage is no longer noticeable. The painting and curing process can take multiple hours to complete, so the time taken will depend on the extent of the painting required. Usually, you can expect the most minor bumper repairs to take a day, whilst larger repairs can need around 3 or more days to restore their condition.
Car panel scratch repairs
Panel repairs are also largely dependent on the extent of the damage. For small scratches, the repainting process can be quick and simple with your car returned to you the same day. For deeper scratches that can catch your fingernail, these will need to be filled in with primer before the repainting process can take place. Surrounding panels may also need to be prepared for the painting process with any mirrors or handles removed before painting can take place. You can expect this process to take 2-3 days.
Car panel dent repairs
For vehicle dent repairs, the smallest dents can be quick and easy, with Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) equipment removing them within a day. Larger dents will require more specialist equipment to remove them and, in some cases, the panels may even need to be replaced altogether. You can expect these more extensive repairs to take up to two weeks.
Additional car bodywork repairs
In addition to any dent repairs and the painting and curing process, your car may also require replacement parts such as lights, mirrors, or windscreens depending on the extent of the damage. This will need to be taken into account when having body repairs carried out to make sure that your vehicle is restored to full working condition and is safe to be driven on the road once again.
If your vehicle has been involved in an accident and requires repairs, you can speak to our team at Double Dee Autos. We work alongside our partners at AT Launder Coachworks, who are equipped with the latest technology to provide high-quality bodywork repairs. Our mechanical expertise allows us to get your car back on the road as soon as possible. For any repairs or advice relating to insurance claims, contact us today by calling 020 8460 3040 or emailing ben@ddautos.co.uk.