Frequently Asked Questions

Not automatically. AG Body Shop's confirmed vehicle restoration scope focuses on suitable body, metal, corrosion and paint work. A body restoration can involve assessment, exterior dismantling, panel repair, suitable welding and metalwork, surface preparation, refinishing and reassembly of relevant exterior...

Suitable previous body and paint repairs can be assessed for correction, but the new repair has to be based on the condition that is actually found beneath the existing finish. Signs of an earlier poor repair can include visible sanding...

Suitable rust and corroded bodywork can often be repaired, but the correct method depends on how far the corrosion has progressed and where it is located. Paint bubbling or surface rust does not always show the complete condition underneath. Corrosion...

A car is worth restoring when the condition, intended result, available parts and value of the vehicle to its owner justify the likely scale of the project. That value does not have to be purely financial. Start with the actual...

A full vehicle body restoration can include assessment, controlled dismantling, corrosion and metal repair, panel correction, surface preparation, refinishing and suitable exterior reassembly. The exact scope should be defined for the individual vehicle before the project begins. Restoration is not...

Some light surface scratches can be improved by controlled polishing, but deeper scratches that have removed paint cannot be polished back into existence. The first step is to identify whether the visible mark is contamination, transferred material, a light defect...

SMART repair is generally aimed at suitable localised cosmetic damage, while conventional body repair is used when the affected area or repair process needs to be broader. A SMART-style approach may be appropriate for certain small scratches, scuffs or local...

Many plastic bumper scuffs, scratches and suitable cracks can be assessed for repair rather than automatically requiring a replacement bumper. The correct decision depends on the type, position and extent of the damage. A surface scuff may mainly involve preparation...

No. Many car dents can be repaired, but not every dent is suitable for the same repair method or for repair instead of replacement. Dent size is only one factor. A broad shallow depression in an open panel area can...

Yes, many deep scratches can be repaired without replacing the complete panel, provided the underlying panel remains suitable for repair. The key question is what the scratch has damaged. If colour, primer or bare metal is exposed but the panel...

Follow the aftercare instructions provided for the specific paint repair first, then use gentle washing and maintenance methods that minimise unnecessary abrasion. Different refinishing systems and repair conditions can have different requirements, so there is no reliable universal timetable for...

A full car respray is worth considering when the condition or intended appearance of the wider exterior makes isolated panel refinishing less appropriate. Examples can include paint deterioration across several panels, extensive fading or coating failure, multiple earlier repairs with...

No. A full-car respray is not normally required simply because one panel needs paint repair. The appropriate refinishing area depends on the damage, colour, surrounding finish and relationship between adjoining panels. For a suitable localised repair, the damaged panel can...

A newly refinished area can appear different from surrounding paint because automotive colour is influenced by more than the manufacturer paint code. Production variants can exist within the same colour code, and the vehicle may already contain previously refinished panels....

AG Body Shop can assess the existing vehicle finish and select an appropriate colour-matching and refinishing approach for suitable repairs. The manufacturer paint code is an important starting point, but professional colour matching involves more than simply ordering paint by...

No. A repair estimate and insurer approval are separate stages. A body shop estimate describes the repair work that appears necessary and the associated costs based on the areas that can be assessed. It may cover panel or bumper repair,...

If additional accident damage becomes visible after dismantling, the newly discovered condition should be assessed and the repair scope reviewed before extra work proceeds. This does not automatically mean the original inspection was incorrect. Bumpers, trim, liners and exterior components...

AG Body Shop can assess suitable body and paint damage connected with an insurance claim and carry out agreed repair work where the appropriate repair route and authorisation are in place. Our role is to deal with the vehicle repair...

Yes. Current GOV.UK guidance states that you must report an accident to your insurance company even if you are not planning to make a claim. Notifying the insurer and making an insurance claim are two different things. You may decide...

You can ask your insurer to allow you to use a repairer of your choice after an accident, but the exact arrangement depends on your policy and what the insurer agrees to fund. An insurer may have its own approved...

A professional vehicle body repair normally moves through assessment, repair planning, bodywork, preparation, refinishing, reassembly and final checks. The exact stages depend on the type and extent of damage, so not every vehicle requires every operation. The process begins by...

There is no single standard timescale for car body repair because the duration depends on the vehicle, damage and repair scope. A localised cosmetic repair and a multi-panel accident repair involve very different amounts of assessment, preparation and refinishing. Factors...

Not every enquiry needs to begin with a workshop visit. Clear photographs and accurate vehicle information can often provide enough information for an initial review, particularly where the damage is visible and localised. We may still recommend a physical inspection...

Yes, clear photographs can often help AG Body Shop carry out an initial review of visible vehicle damage, but photographs cannot always confirm the complete repair scope. For the most useful initial assessment, send a wider photograph showing the affected...

To request a vehicle repair estimate from AG Body Shop, send your vehicle details, a short description of the damage and clear photographs showing the complete affected area. This gives us a useful starting point for understanding the visible body...