Body Shop Recommendations - Sheffield/Rotherham (Car in front reversed into me)

[Gilbert89]

Thing's aren't going quite my way at the moment, unfortunately at the weekend the car in front reversed back straight into me. Considering the circumstances this is extremely frustrating as there was simply no reason this should have ever happened.

Driving out of my area I came across a road full of double parked cars due to Sunday League football and on approach noticed the car in front of me and on coming car trying to pass each other resulting in them both coming to a stop, once I noticed this happening I left roughly a car length gap, perhaps even more, the car in front crawls forward and I begin to follow before noticing she has stopped again which is when I stopped whilst remaining the car length gap between us.

I then see reverse lights which is where (Before the car even began to move) I beeped to warn them I am here, I then saw the car coming back at some speed and remained a constant beep, I glanced into my rear view whilst putting it into reverse but unfortunately had a car sitting in my boot as it had caused quite some traffic so no evasive manoeuvre possible! the car then continued to reverse straight into me at roughly 5/8mph so I had to watch it unfold and then bang, quite a bang I must admit therefore I expected the worst when checking the front end after impact.

I want this repaired and to the best standard possible therefore anyone know of a good Bodyshop/Smart Repairer within Sheffield/Rotherham and surrounding areas? I have come across Coopers Auto Body which have good reviews, they appear to tackle all sorts of jobs so my minor damage should be no problem which I will get a quote for tonight, also waiting on a quote from a Smart Repair bloke who fixed up my previous car before it was collected by me which was organised by the dealer and had no complaints but wanting the best finish possible hence looking a little further than a mobile smart repairer.

Spoiler: Photo's of the damage

 

[Temujin]

As long as there's no underlying damage then that looks the ideal candidate for a smart repair. Going on the pictures it looks as though the main bulk of damage may polish out (though it's difficult to tell really).
I'd get the smart repair guy back you were happy with to quote before a shop.

 

[Gilbert89]

As long as there's no underlying damage then that looks the ideal candidate for a smart repair. Going on the pictures it looks as though the main bulk of damage may polish out (though it's difficult to tell really).
I'd get the smart repair guy back you were happy with to quote before a shop.

I thought it may be polished out but If I would get a better finish from painting then that is what I would like to achieve.

Yes just waiting for a quote from him and will get one from the body shop in person after work to compare the two.

Everything appears to be okay but must admit that is what concerns me, whether or not there is any underlying damage, I wouldn't know where to start in regards to having that side of things checked over properly.

 

[dale1uk]

I've used Repair and Restore in Goole and can highly recommend them. They did some rust repair work to my old Liquid Yellow R26 Megane, which is a notoriously difficult colour to match, and the quality was extremely good. They were very well priced and provided me with a free courtesy car for the week they had it.

 

[gc123]

very hard to tell without looking behind but if it was me , i would get a bodyshop/garage to look at it before going for a smart repair. no good the outside looking perfect if there is underlying damage. it looks like the main impact is in the area of the towing eye, where there will be a heavy beam fitted , does the parking sensor still work ok and feel solid in the bumper? have had them break the brackets as they tend to be bonded to rear of bumper.
just my two penneth.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

very hard to tell without looking behind but if it was me , i would get a bodyshop/garage to look at it before going for a smart repair. no good the outside looking perfect if there is underlying damage. it looks like the main impact is in the area of the towing eye, where there will be a heavy beam fitted , does the parking sensor still work ok and feel solid in the bumper? have had them break the brackets as they tend to be bonded to rear of bumper.
just my two penneth.

I'd go down this route as well TBH. I had a minor bump in my XF that I self repaired and it was only once I took the bumper off I spotted grille 'tangs' broken, headlight brackets broken, reinforcer bar dinged up etc...

 

[Gilbert89]

Definitely torn with how to go about this and what to do for the best without having to be massively out of pocket whilst avoiding having to go through the insurance despite it not being my fault.

I nipped downed to a body shop which seems the real deal and even If I was to go ahead the wait would be July due to how busy they are although appears reviews and portfolio speaks for itself, seems rather expensive... at £480 for the front bumper resprayed and blended including new number plate holder from VW.

I feel like the 3rd party is expecting a £100 smart repair which at a glance I can see why but annoyingly I am in this situation and I know what insurance is there for.

He had a route around and appears nothing else is damaged and seems that the number plate holder took most of the impact believe it or not which must admit without that can imagine it would have been a lot worse.

Parking Sensors are working as normal, nothing appears to be lose (broken clips etc) or internally at a glance seems to appear fine but will have a second opinion regarding having everything checked out.

Think I need to get a couple of other quotes in the meantime.

 

[Gilbert89]

I'd go down this route as well TBH. I had a minor bump in my XF that I self repaired and it was only once I took the bumper off I spotted grille 'tangs' broken, headlight brackets broken, reinforcer bar dinged up etc...

Do you have any pictures of the damage you sustained?

 

[Wayne~]

When I had my MX5 the go to people for rust repairs and thus resprays were a company called Deepcar Autobodies in S36, no experience as sold the car however looking at their work they'd undertook quality looked great.

 

[Gilbert89]

When I had my MX5 the go to people for rust repairs and thus resprays were a company called Deepcar Autobodies in S36, no experience as sold the car however looking at their work they'd undertook quality looked great.

Thanks Wayne - There work looks good judging by Facebook.

I have had a quote written up, trying to get a couple before going back to the 3rd party.

£480 - First Place
£400 - Second Place

Full Respray/Blend and Number Plate Plinth from VW.

I imagine those prices will go down like a lead balloon with her though unfortunately.

 

[gc123]

Thanks Wayne - There work looks good judging by Facebook.

I have had a quote written up, trying to get a couple before going back to the 3rd party.

£480 - First Place
£400 - Second Place

Full Respray/Blend and Number Plate Plinth from VW.

I imagine those prices will go down like a lead balloon with her though unfortunately.

personally in the situation she has two choices i dont think either quote is out of the way , she will more than likely have excess to pay if going insurance and lose no-claims (even with protected its still very annoying to make the claim). shes clearly at fault and in her position i would be happy that you are not talking of insurance.

 

[Gilbert89]

personally in the situation she has two choices i dont think either quote is out of the way , she will more than likely have excess to pay if going insurance and lose no-claims (even with protected its still very annoying to make the claim). shes clearly at fault and in her position i would be happy that you are not talking of insurance.

I have to agree with the above, those are my thoughts.. unfortunately we aren’t talking about a couple of hundred quid car here and repair bills aren’t cheap.

What I would like to ask is, if it did go through insurance and it turns out their insurance was void, would that mean my insurance wouldn’t be able to claim and it would affect my insurance despite being non fault etc?

I ask because the vehicle in question is a Focus ST with the badging and rear diffuser / middle exhaust yet the registration comes back to a 99bhp 1.0

Update. Appears to be happy to pay, although first hurdle when discussing money exchange the response was “Give the garage my number when work is complete and I’ll pay”
Explained how that leaves me open to her not paying when the time comes and I am only willing to accept before hand.

She replied with do you have PayPal? (deffo a no go as payments can be reversed)

How safe am I with Bank Transfer, assuming these can’t be easily reversed?

Otherwise it may have to be an awkward cash exchange.

Annoying as If I do have to claim, I’m 20 days from my renewal and would no doubt go against me if On-going.

 

[Gilbert89]

Would accepting payment via Bank Transfer be safe?

I suggested her pay the garage directly before hand or cash, but she has said she will just send it via bank trasnfer.

I did call bank and she said that you can technically go down a process to claim money back etc and it's your word against theres, but I feel that is unlikely and must be hard to do so without very good reason? So leaves me a little un-easy if that is there motive due to payment methods suggested so far.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

Bank transfer is pretty bullet proof.

 

[Gilbert89]

Thought this was the case, she has paid up based on the cheapest estimate I gave her and I avoid insurance despite some extra inconvenience logistically. Usually have access to a 2nd car 7 day's a week which would be ideal as any place needs the car for a couple of day's but my partner is due off maternity Sunday.

Body Shop's appear to be busy, lengthy wait but unless looking for the damage isn't too visible and all is well for now but I have the money and can choose the repair path required.

Hopefully no further damage upon inspection but I don't believe there is as all the sensitive items are working as normal etc but suppose a risk I have been willing to take.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

Sounds like the best outcome for all involved, putting yourself out logistically aside. Don't feel bad about buffing it out the best you can and keeping the cash either.

 

[paintguy]

When I had my MX5 the go to people for rust repairs and thus resprays were a company called Deepcar Autobodies in S36, no experience as sold the car however looking at their work they'd undertook quality looked great.

Dave and I worked together a few years back, before he left to set that place up. I'd highly recommend his work.