Can you repair aluminium panels?

Aluminium needs a different repair method from steel. We tell you at the estimate whether it's a job for us. If your car needs a specialist, we say so rather than have a go.

Car Body Repair in North Glasgow

Q: What does car body repair include?

Repairing and replacing damaged panels, fixing dents, painting the result to match, and refitting trim and lights. Bumpers, dents and scuffs each have their own page. You get an itemised written estimate before we start, so you know exactly what's covered.

Q: How long does car body repair take?

It depends on the size of the damage, whether panels can be repaired or must be replaced, and paint drying time. Minor damage is generally quicker than major structural work. We give you a realistic date at the estimate and tell you if it changes.

Q: How much does car body repair cost in Glasgow?

The price depends on the size of the damage, whether panels can be repaired or must be replaced, the price of parts, and the paint. Ring the bodyshop on 07551 628393 or send photos through the form. After an accident, you get a written quote once we've inspected the car.

Q: Will there be extra costs once you start?

Sometimes. Damage can hide behind panels and trim, and we sometimes find more once they come off. When that happens, we stop, photograph it, tell you what it costs, and wait for your yes before we go on. Your insurer may need to approve it first.

Q: Do you use genuine parts?

We talk you through the parts options for your car and budget before any work starts. If your insurer is paying, they may specify the parts used. Ring us or ask at the estimate and we'll explain what fits your situation.

Q: Do I have to use my insurer's bodyshop?

No. You can usually choose your own repairer. Your insurer may want to inspect the damage or approve our estimate first, and some charge a higher excess for non-approved garages. Check your policy, then ring your insurer before you book.

Panel repair, panel replacement and paint after an accident, with an itemised written estimate before we start. 29 Finlas Street, G22.

Car Body Repair

Prime Automotive Solutions repairs accident-damaged cars at 29 Finlas Street, Glasgow G22 5DU. We repair and replace panels, fix dents, and paint the result to match. You get an itemised written estimate before we start, and a call before we do anything extra. Repairs start from £[__]. Call the bodyshop on 07551 628393.

We’re a new bodyshop. We haven’t got forty years to lean on. So we lean on what you can check: what we quote, what we photograph, what we warrant, and who you deal with. [CONFIRM: You deal with the same person from estimate to handover.]

What car body repair covers

Panel repair. Dents, creases and crumpled metal, reshaped and refinished.
Panel replacement. Wings, doors, bonnets and boot lids, fitted and painted.
Structural work. [CONFIRM: Straightening and welding.]
Bumpers. See bumper repair.
Dents. See dent removal.
Scuffs and scratches. See smart repair.
Paint. See car painting.

How big is your damage?

Level	What it looks like	What’s involved	Typical time
Minor	Scrapes, small dents, a scuffed bumper	Smart repair, dent removal or a simple panel repair	[CONFIRM: 1 to 3 days]
Moderate	A crumpled wing, a dented door, a cracked bumper	Repair or replace the panel, paint, refit	[CONFIRM: 3 to 7 days]
Major	Several panels, or damage near the structure	Strip back, repair, measure, paint, reassemble	[CONFIRM: 1 to 3 weeks or more. Parts decide it]

What a proper repair involves

We inspect the car and write your estimate. Itemised, in writing. Photos help, but nothing replaces looking at it.
We strip back the damaged area. Damage hides behind covers and trim. We look before we quote firm.
We choose the repair method. Repair or replace. [CONFIRM: We follow the manufacturer’s repair procedure.]
We order the parts. You choose what goes on the car. See below.
We repair or replace the panels.
We prepare and paint them, matching the colour and blending into the panels beside them. See car painting.
We refit the trim and lights, then check the panel gaps, the lights and any sensors.
We check the car in daylight and hand it back with your invoice and warranty terms.

When we find more damage

Damage hides. A cracked bumper cover can hide a bent reinforcement bar. A crumpled wing can hide a dented inner panel. Once panels come off, we sometimes find more than the photos showed.

When that happens, we stop. We photograph it, tell you what we’ve found and what it will cost, and wait for your yes before we go on. If your insurer is paying, they may need to approve it first, and we’ll tell you if so. No surprises on the final bill. [CONFIRM]

Parts

Four kinds of part can go on your car. Each has a place.

Genuine parts come from the car’s manufacturer. They fit best and cost the most.
Quality-equivalent parts are made to match the original by other companies.
Aftermarket parts are copies, usually at a lower price.
Used parts come from another car of the same model.

On a newer car with sensors, we recommend genuine parts. On an older car, quality-equivalent or used parts can make sense. We show you the options and the price, and you choose. If your insurer is paying, they may specify the parts. [CONFIRM: What we fit.]

Modern cars

Modern cars aren’t one kind of metal all through. High-strength steel, aluminium and plastic sit side by side, and each needs its own repair method. Sensors and cameras sit in bumpers and mirrors.

Some jobs need equipment or training a small bodyshop doesn’t have. We tell you up front what we do here, what we arrange with a specialist, and what we’d send elsewhere. [CONFIRM: List: aluminium, sensor and camera calibration, EVs and hybrids.] If your car needs a specialist, we say so. We won’t have a go.

How to judge any bodyshop

Ask every bodyshop these seven questions, us included. Ask for the answers in writing.

How will you repair it? Do you follow the manufacturer’s repair method?
Which parts will you use?
Is the estimate itemised?
Will I get photos as the repair goes on?
What’s the warranty, in writing?
Is there a courtesy car, or help with transport?
Do you hold BS 10125? That’s the British Standard for vehicle damage repair, a BSI Kitemark scheme, independently assessed. [CONFIRM: Our honest answer: We don’t hold it yet. Ask us the other six questions, and we’ll answer each in writing.]

Estimates, updates and handover

Your estimate lists parts, labour and paint, and says whether VAT is included. Your updates come [CONFIRM: as photos, by text or WhatsApp, at key stages]. Your handover is a walk round the car with you, in daylight. You leave with an invoice and your warranty terms in writing.

Insurance and your choice of repairer

You can usually choose your own repairer after an accident. There are catches. Your insurer may want to inspect the damage or approve the estimate. Some charge an extra excess if you skip their approved bodyshop. Their own repair guarantee may not cover a garage they didn’t pick.

Ring your insurer before you book. We handle the repair side: the estimate, the photos and the invoice your insurer asks for. See accident repair for the full picture, and non-fault accident repair if another driver caused the damage.

How much does car body repair cost in Glasgow?

Prices start here. Repairs after an accident get a written quote after we’ve inspected the car.

Job	From
A door, repaired	£[__]
A wing, repaired	£[__]
A panel replaced, painted and fitted	£[__]

Prices include VAT. [CONFIRM: VAT status.] Price depends on the size of the damage, whether a panel can be repaired or has to be replaced, the price of the part, the paint (metallic and pearl cost more) and any sensors. If one quote comes in far below the rest, ask what it leaves out.

Our warranty

Body repairs and paintwork done at Finlas Street carry a written warranty of [CONFIRM: months]. Ask for the terms before you say yes to any bodyshop. That includes us.

Car body repair across north Glasgow

Hit in traffic on Keppochhill Road? Clipped a wing on Saracen Street? Bring it in, or send photos.

We’re on Finlas Street, between Hawthorn Street and Carlisle Road. We serve drivers in Possilpark, Springburn, Balornock, Lambhill, Milton, Cadder, Maryhill and Bishopbriggs. It’s a short run from Saracen Street, Balmore Road and Keppochhill Road.

Related services

For scuffs and scratches, see smart repair. For dents, see dent removal. For bumpers, see bumper repair. For paint, see car painting. Need mechanical work after the accident? See car servicing and mechanical repairs. Back to all accident repair.

Car body repair FAQs

Where is Prime Automotive Solutions' bodyshop?

Our bodyshop is at 29 Finlas Street, Glasgow G22 5DU, in north Glasgow between Hawthorn Street and Carlisle Road. Call the bodyshop on 07551 628393. The mechanic has a separate line on 07917 062770.

What does car body repair include?

How long does car body repair take?

How much does car body repair cost in Glasgow?

Will there be extra costs once you start?

Do you use genuine parts?

Do I have to use my insurer's bodyshop?