In short: most accident repairs take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. A minor bumper scuff can be turned around in a day or two, while structural damage or parts on back-order can take longer. The claim itself often runs alongside the repair rather than adding weeks on top.
Here’s what actually drives the timeline.
The stages of a repair
- Assessment. We look over the car, strip the affected area if needed, and get a true picture of the damage, including anything hidden behind panels. We aim to assess within 24 hours of the car reaching us.
- Parts. If we need OEM parts matched to your vehicle, availability can affect the timeline. Common parts are quick; rarer or model-specific ones can add days.
- Repair and paint. Panel and structural work, then paint mixed and matched in-house and left to cure properly.
- Checks and handover. Geometry checked, everything refitted, road tested, cleaned, and handed back.
What makes a repair quicker or slower?
- Extent of damage. A scuffed bumper is days; structural or multi-panel damage is longer.
- Parts availability. The single biggest variable on many jobs.
- The claim route. A non-fault claim handled directly with the other insurer is often quicker than waiting on paperwork.
- Whether it’s driveable. If your car isn’t safe to drive, we arrange recovery and a courtesy car so a longer repair doesn’t leave you stuck.
Does the insurance claim slow it down?
It doesn’t have to. Because we manage the claim alongside the repair, fault or non-fault, the paperwork and the work happen in parallel. You get one point of contact and updates at each stage, so you’re never left wondering where your car is.
Get a realistic timeline
The honest answer to “how long will mine take?” is that it depends on the car and the damage, but we’ll give you a realistic timeline as soon as we’ve assessed it. Report your accident or call 0121 766 6669 and we’ll get it booked in.
Had an accident, or need a repair?