Longton, Stoke on Trent & Leek Bodyshop Frequently Asked Questions
Repair time depends on the level of damage, parts availability and any insurer approvals. Minor repairs may take a few days, while larger accident repairs can take longer.
Once the vehicle has been assessed, we can give you an estimated completion date. Timelines may change if hidden damage is found, parts are delayed, or further insurer approval is needed.
An ECD (Estimated Completion Date) is really an approximate date we anticipate completion of your repairs. Once the repair process has started we may find additional damage which was hidden behind trims and body panels. Your car may need specialist diagnostics using equipment supplied to us by your vehicles manufacturer. Once repairs are close to completion we will connect your car to the diagnostic equipment to ascertain if there are any underlying electrical faults. This process can not be done until repairs are close to completion and all trims, panels re-fitted. So it is very difficult at the start of repairs to give a definate ECD.
No two car repairs are the same. Occasionally there can be a delay in parts delivery, additional parts may be identified during the repair process, or your insurers may need to inspect your vehicle. In this case repair could be delayed in obtaining supplementary authorisation from your insurers.
Once repairs are authorised, you will be given a book-in date. This allows time for replacement parts to be purchased and minimises the length of time we need your car on site.
Our Customer Service staff will give you an approximate completion date, where possible, when the car is booked in. We will then contact you once repairs are complete.
You will be updated through the repair process by either SMS, email or telephone, dependant on your preference.
The repair process for insurance claims usually follows the following steps:
- Initial Claim / Customer details received
- Vehicle Assessment / Images Received
- Estimate prepared & sent for insurance approval
- Booking Date Arranged & Parts Ordered
- Vehicle onsite fully stripped down & assessed
- Estimated Completion date confirmed + additional parts ordered
- Vehicle repair process: Structural, panel repair, Paint process & Refit
- ADAS calibration / Geometry Resets where required
- Cleaning and Quality Control
- Vehicle handover (Excess / VAT Paid if applicable)
In most cases we will supply a courtesy car, it is very rare that any issues prevent us from doing so. If the accident wasnt your fault you may qualify for a like for like replacement vehicle paid for by the fault drivers insurance company. Our claims advisors can help you with this, call us on 01782 315242 to discuss your options.
You only have to replace the fuel you have used. You should have a copy of the courtesy car agreement which will have a section showing the level when it was loaned to you. You just need to return it with the same amount.
Yes, we run a 24-7 recovery service in the event of an accident occurring outside of working hours, our call out number is 07973 887550. If it is just inconvenient within working hours then we run a free collection delivery service. Just call our customer service staff to arrange this.
Please empty the vehicle of personal belongings so technicians can access the repair area safely and efficiently. Technicians may need access behind trim, seats, boot areas or interior panels during the repair.
The workshop can also be dusty, and bodyshops are generally not responsible for personal belongings left inside the vehicle, so it is best to remove them before drop-off
Yes. As standard procedure we wash each vehicle at the end of the repair and vacuum the inside.
If you would like to upgrade this then please mention it to our reception staff, who will be pleased to explain further the extras we may be able to offer.
Repair cost depends on the damage, parts, labour, paint materials and whether the job is going through insurance or privately. If you are paying privately, we can discuss the repair cost with you.
On some insurance jobs, the insurer may ask us not to share full costing directly with the policyholder.
Your excess is paid once the repair is complete, before collection or delivery of the vehicle.
The excess on your policy is the first amount liable as part of the cost of vehicle repairs. The insurance companies ask us to collect this excess and deduct it from our invoice to them.
We have many partnerships throughout Staffordshire who are fleet operators. We have experience in dealing with large fleets of vehicles from claims handling and accident assistance. Contact our customer service staff who will assist and put you in touch with our Customer Service manager to arrange any needs your fleet requires.
If you are VAT registered, you do have to pay the VAT and any applicable excess on the repairs. You will be invoiced for this and can claim the VAT back on your next VAT return.
We will advise you of the VAT amount and any applicable excess once the repairs have been completed and the invoice finalised.
No. It's entirely your choice legally on who repairs your vehicle in the event of an accident. Insurance companies usually direct policyholders to their 'approved' accident repair centres, however this may not necessarily be the best choice for your car.
You have a choice. We can compile a fully priced estimate and contact the fault driver to discuss the prices. It may be turn out that the repairs are beyond the fault drivers budget, in this case our claims advisor’s will explain your best option.
You have an option to accept the fault drivers insurance involvement. You may find your car is taken out of the area and to a repairer you have not heard of before. Our claims advisor’s can assist you in your none fault claim and arrange for a like for like replacement car. Call our advisor’s on 01782 315242 for assistance.
Yes. We can usually provide a private repair quote if you prefer not to claim through insurance.
This is common for smaller repairs, cosmetic damage or where a customer wants to compare the cost of a private repair with making a claim on their policy.
Our estimators can provide you with a quote for any additional damage whilst we are repairing your car. This makes perfect sense as in most cases you will already have a courtesy car or replacement hire vehicle allocated. Take advantage of this to ensure all your car is returned in pristine condition with far less inconvenience.
If the vehicle is deemed a total loss, your insurer will normally discuss a settlement value and next steps with you. The insurer may inspect the vehicle at its location or at the repair centre before confirming that decision.
Where possible, diagnostic checks are undertaken before the repair to determine any fault codes logged in the vehicles control units. Vehicles today utilise the latest smart driving aids such as lane assistance, reversing aids, autonomous braking etc, it is important to know whether these systems have been affected by the accident damage. At the end of the repairs once all panels and trims are refitted a post diagnostic check is also done to clear any faults logged.
This means our work conforms to a British Standard. We undertake many unannounced audits throughout the year to ensure we meet the exacting standards required to gain the BS10125 accreditation. The audit tests people competence, tooling calibration, materials fit for purpose.
Dependant on the vehicle age. If your vehicle is still within the manufacturer warranty period then we will warranty our repairs to the original manufacturer warranty period. If the vehicle is older and not under warranty with the manufacturer then we will apply a 3yr guarantee on labour – paintwork and the parts supplier guarantee on any parts fitted.
You can contact us in several ways, email, on-line via our website or by telephone. Please see the options below:
email: enquiries@mmgroup-uk.com
tel: Longton 01782 315242 or Leek 01538 385613