Find car accident repair services near me

Search your postcode to find your local Checkatrade-approved tradespeople

Finally getting around to fixing that minor car dent or scrape? Or does your vehicle need more extensive structural repairs after an accident?

If you've been in an accident and need to cover the repair work yourself, you'll need to find a car accident repair specialist near you.

Follow one of these three simple steps with Checkatrade and get your car back into tip-top shape:

Option 1 – Download our app

Use our secure in-app chat to connect directly with car repair experts near you. Ask questions and receive quotes — all without phone calls or emails.

Option 2 – Use our ‘request a quote’ form

Prefer to receive an email? Fill in our quick ‘request a quote’ form to receive quotes directly to your inbox.

Option 3 – Search our online trade directory

Just enter your postcode into the search tool for a list of car body and repair mechanics that operate in your area.

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

Rest assured, all Checkatrade members are committed to quality and have passed up to 12 checks to get our seal of approval.

That means you can be sure your car will be repaired safely and efficiently and be back on the road in no time.

Scratches to car bodywork

Other tips for finding a tradesperson for car accident repair near you

Narrowed down your search to a few specialists near you? Great. Here's some other steps you can take to make sure you're getting the right tradesperson for the job:

1. Read reviews

Always check to see what other car owners say about local garages offering car body and accident repair work in your area. That way, you can make sure to choose someone others rate.

Let's do this sticker

We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.

2. Look out for certifications

When finding a garage or mechanic to carry out your car accident repairs, check that it is certified. This is especially important if you’re obtaining quotes for insurance purposes or require a manufacturer-approved repair centre.

The easiest way to make sure a mechanic is qualified is through the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). They have a Professional Register that lists qualified mechanics.

Our hiring guide has lots more tips and advice about finding a good mechanic garage.

3. Get a few quotes

It is always a good idea to ask for a few estimates when it comes to local car accident repair work. That way, you can check that you’re getting a fair and competitive price for the work.

4. Ask for recommendations

You can always ask family or friends if they’ve recently had some repair work done to their car and if they would recommend them. You can cross-reference any of their recommendations with a trade directory (like ours!).

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

Car damage being repaired by professional mechanic

Types of car accident repairs and what’s involved

From minor prangs to major structural repairs, the list of jobs a car repairer undertakes is varied.

Let’s look at some of the most common types of car accident damage and what’s involved in fixing them:

Minor cosmetic repairs

If you’re lucky, your car might have only suffered a few scuffs or scratches following an accident. Repairs might include:

There is no rush to complete the repair work, as this is minor damage. Just book an appointment with an auto body repair specialist when it is convenient for you.

You’ll most likely have your car in and out in the same day. You could even find a company that offers mobile car body repair near you, so you can get the repairs done at home or your workplace.

Structural and mechanical repairs

Has an accident caused more significant damage? If so, you'll need to get your car into a garage quickly, as its safety will be compromised.

The type of repairs a mechanic most commonly works on following car accidents includes:

Major structural damage like the above will naturally take longer to repair. The garage may need to order replacement parts or keep your car in for more than a day, which will increase the costs significantly. We'll explore this next.

Car accident repair costs: what to expect

Curious to know how much accident repair costs? Here are a few average cost breakdowns to help you budget.

Minor repairs:

Major accident damage:

It's important to note these are only estimated figures. The cost of car repairs all depends on the damage level, the car brand you have, and whether parts for your specific model are easy to come by.

That’s why we always recommend speaking to a car repair specialist local to you to get a more accurate quote.

Are the repair costs mounting up more than you hoped? The ‘50 per cent rule’ is a good guide. In a nutshell, if the cost of repairing your car is more than 50 per cent of its current market value, a replacement might be a better option.

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

Car dent following accident

Insurance versus non-insurance repairs

Before contacting a repair specialist, you must decide whether you need an insurance-approved or independent garage.

If another driver was at fault, you may be able to claim through their insurer instead of your own to get repair work done. However, if the repair was your fault, you’ll need to decide whether to make a claim on insurance or pay for it yourself.

The benefits of paying for it yourself will mean you’ll keep your no-claims bonus. However, it also means you have to stump up the cost yourself. Here are a few other pointers to bear in mind:

DIY versus professional car accident repairs: what you need to know

Have you received some quotes from local garages, and it's working out more than you hoped? If you’re a dab hand at DIY, there are a few small fixes that you could consider doing yourself. They include:

However, for anything larger, it is advisable to employ the skills of a car repair service. Not only is this critical for your car's safety, but it will also help you avoid any DIY repair disasters which could impact the resale value.

Why not make a search with your postcode below? You'll see a list of car accident repair specialists near you. It’s that simple.

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job