Bodywork Repair in Mitcham, South London
From a car park dent to a scraped panel — repaired to the standard you'd expect from a main dealer, without the main dealer price.
That Dent Bothers You More Than You Admit
You know that sinking feeling when you walk back to your car and find a dent you didn't put there. Or you clip a bollard reversing out of a tight space. Or someone's key has left a long scratch down your door. It's not dangerous — but it bothers you every time you look at it.
Bodywork damage is one of those things people put off dealing with. The quotes seem high. The process seems complicated. And there's always the worry that the repair won't quite match the original paint.
Here's what most people don't realise: leaving bodywork damage unrepaired often makes it more expensive to fix later. A scratch that reaches bare metal starts rusting within days. A small dent with a paint chip becomes a rust spot within a season. The longer you wait, the more the repair costs.
Signs You Should Book an Assessment
- Dent or crease in a panel — paint intact or chipped
- Scratch that's broken through to the primer or bare metal
- Bumper scuff, crack, or split
- Rust spot appearing anywhere on the bodywork
- Panel damage from a low-speed collision or car park incident
- Peeling lacquer on bonnet or roof
What Bodywork Repair Actually Involves
Bodywork repair isn't a single process — it's a range of techniques applied depending on the type, location, and severity of the damage. The right technique matters enormously.
Paintless Dent Repair
PDR technique
For dents where the paint surface is intact. A technician massages the metal back to its original shape from behind the panel — no filler, no repainting. When the damage qualifies, PDR is the gold standard.
Traditional Panel Repair
Fill, prime & paint
Used when the metal has been pushed significantly out of shape or the paint has broken. The panel is reshaped, filled, sanded, primed, and painted to match your vehicle's exact colour code.
Panel Replacement
When repair isn't economic
When damage is too extensive to repair cost-effectively, we source a replacement panel, fit it, and paint it to match. The result is a factory-fresh panel that blends seamlessly with the rest of the car.
Rust Treatment
Before it spreads
Rust left untreated eats through metal and eventually compromises structural integrity. We remove the corroded area, treat the surrounding metal, and restore the panel surface before it becomes a serious problem.
Dent or Scratch? Choose Your Repair
The two most common bodywork repairs have different processes, different techniques, and different pricing. Here's how to understand which applies to your vehicle.
Dent Repair
From car park door dings to larger creases — the approach depends on whether the paint surface is intact. PDR is used where possible; traditional repair where it isn't.
- PDR for paint-intact dents
- Traditional repair for paint-broken dents
- Hail damage and multiple dents
- Crease and fold repair
Scratch Repair
Scratches vary enormously in severity — from light surface marks to deep key scratches reaching bare metal. Each depth requires a different repair approach.
- Surface scratches polished out
- Primer-depth scratches filled and painted
- Metal-depth scratches treated for rust
- Exact colour matching with paint code
How We Approach Bodywork Repairs
Three things separate a repair you'll be happy with from one you'll always notice.
Honest Assessment First
We look at your damage and tell you which repair technique is appropriate — not the most expensive option. If PDR will do the job, we'll say so.
Exact Paint Matching
We use your vehicle's paint code to mix the precise colour, then blend it into the surrounding panel. The repair is invisible in normal light — not just close enough.
Fixed Price Before We Start
You get a written quote before any work begins. No surprises when you collect the car. No 'while we were in there' additions without your approval.
Paint matching is where many bodywork repairs fall short. Getting the colour right requires more than selecting the closest shade from a chart. We use your vehicle's paint code — found on a plate inside the door jamb or under the bonnet — to mix the exact colour. We then apply it in layers, blending into the surrounding panel to eliminate any visible join. The result is a repair that's invisible in normal light.
We're based in Mitcham, South London, and carry out bodywork repairs on vehicles from across the area — Croydon, Wimbledon, Tooting, Streatham, and Sutton. If you're not sure whether your damage is worth repairing, bring the car in and we'll give you an honest assessment at no charge.
When to Book — and Why It Matters
Car park dent with intact paint
Book soonPDR works best when the paint hasn't cracked. The longer you leave it, the more the metal work-hardens and the harder the repair becomes.
Scratch reaching bare metal
Act quicklyOnce a scratch exposes bare metal, moisture gets in within days. Rust starts forming under the paint surface — what was a £150 scratch repair becomes a £400+ rust treatment.
Bumper scuff or crack
When convenientA cracked bumper compromises pedestrian safety performance in low-speed impacts. Most insurers also note unrepaired damage at renewal, which can affect your premium.
Surface rust appearing
UrgentSurface rust spreads faster than most people expect. A 50p-sized rust spot can become a panel-sized problem within one winter. Early treatment costs a fraction of late-stage repair.
Pricing
Every repair is assessed individually. The final price depends on the size of the damage, the repair technique required, and whether paint blending is needed. We give you a fixed quote — no obligation, no surprises.
The Most Expensive Mistake We See
Customers who use DIY touch-up pens on scratches that have already reached bare metal. The pen seals moisture in rather than out, accelerating rust underneath. What was a £150 scratch repair becomes a £400+ rust treatment and panel repaint. If the scratch has reached metal, come and see us first.
Ready to Get Your Bodywork Sorted?
Bring your vehicle to our Mitcham garage and we'll assess the damage, explain your options, and give you a fixed price. Serving Mitcham, Croydon, Wimbledon, Tooting, Streatham, and Sutton.
IQ Tyres · Mitcham, South London · Mon–Sat 8am–6pm