Shocking amount of repairs carried out by unlicensed bodyshops

Dagenham-based Bodyshop of the Year AJC Wilson Bodyshop is urging drivers who have been unfortunate enough to have an accident during the recent snow blizzards to choose their accident repair centre carefully to ensure their car is repaired correctly and safely.

AJC was the first bodyshop in the UK to achieve the BSI Kitemark for Vehicle Body Repair in 2007. To date there are only 550 bodyshops nationally who have achieved the exacting standard, which is designed to ensure that the correct method and process is used in order to ensure a repaired vehicle performs in the way the manufacturer originally intended.

Managing Director Chris Oliver comments: “it is a common misconception that if drivers contact their insurers and use their ‘approved’ bodyshop, then these repairers will be up to the task. Wrong! Out of almost 5,600 bodyshops in the UK, less than 10% are BSI Kitemark Approved, and so sadly our industry has a long way to go before it can demonstrate that every repair is competent and safe. As a Kitemark accredited bodyshop, we have invested significantly in the machinery and technology to prove that we are repairing vehicles back to their pre-accident condition, so they will perform exactly as the manufacturer intended should the driver be unfortunate enough to have a second accident.”

Chris continues: "You wouldn't buy a child seat for your grandchild unless it had a Kitemark and you wouldn't get someone to fix your boiler who wasn't Gas-Safe registered, so why on earth would you let an untrained, un-licensed accident repairer work on safety critical components such as your vehicle’s suspension or steering? Our investment in Thatcham software alone extends to over £5,000 per year, which ensures our technicians have access to repair method data exactly when they need it. This, coupled with ongoing technical training for all our competent painters, panelbeaters and estimators, are key components for us to retain our Kitemark licence.”

With icy conditions set to continue over the Christmas period and into the New Year, bumps, scrapes and insurance claims are inevitable. Chris Oliver’s message is: “whilst having to claim on your motor insurance can feel catastrophic, don’t feel railroaded into using an approved repairer. It’s your vehicle, it’s your choice and you can choose the best. The Kitemark has become the benchmark for car body repairs, and I would urge drivers to demand to use their local Kitemark approved repairer. We’d like to wish all customers and Dagenham drivers a safe and Happy New Year.”

For more information, visit ajc-bodyshop.com.