Calling body shop experts! Bodywork damage fixing

3rd April 2011, 16:51

Hi guys,

Apologies in advance if I get the picture uploading wrong!

Had my car for nearly a year now, cant afford to do much to it at the moment but if I could the first thing I'd do is fix the careless-driving-damage left by the previous owners (mostly). The body damage is the only thing that lets it down at the moment...

See pictures:
There are 4 areas of damage -
Tailgate (real awkward one, previous lady owner backed into skip, assume a botch-job fix attempt. Ignore the mastic)

Bonnet (fist sized dent with small scratches)

Front bumper (nasty scrape on wall or something)

Rear bumper (minor/very minor ones, both mine

- wont tell you how they got there. Not peeling/cracked off protective sheen coat)

None of them are immediately noticeable but as a perfectionist and as I hope to keep this one for a few years yet they are unsightly and I'd feel happier driving about in a more smooth and shiny Saxo

Question is: repair or replace? Any ideas of costs for all of it in both respects? DIY?

Hopin there's some experts out there!

Cheers,

Michael

3rd April 2011, 17:09

Probably cheaper to replace tailgate/bonnet. The rear bumper can be flatten/repaired and painted. Looks like they have been painted in the past, most likely to color code them. The bonnet scratches dont look too bad and will probably polish out. Body shop to do the work is an economical write off. Do it yourself if your handy. Get on Ebay, probably pick a tailgate up in same color for a tenner

5th April 2011, 13:17

Thanks akuakabucy, sorry for the late reply.

I had thought tbh that replacing was best (or cheapest), but just out of interest what would you estimate the costs of repairing each individual part, to a level where it is not noticeable at all and looks original and undamaged as from the factory?!

Would be good to know so I get some idea.

Many thanks again,

Michael.

5th April 2011, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejr

Thanks akuakabucy, sorry for the late reply.

I had thought tbh that replacing was best (or cheapest), but just out of interest what would you estimate the costs of repairing each individual part, to a level where it is not noticeable at all and looks original and undamaged as from the factory?!

Would be good to know so I get some idea.

Many thanks again,

Michael.

not even worth it lol. you can probably get bootlid, bumpers and bonnet for around £150. it'll cost most likely cost you more than that just to get one of the panels sorted

5th April 2011, 13:32

Yeah seems fair enough. It's just finding the parts lol. I'd also be worried that some parts might get damaged in transit... but that's just me

Michael.

5th April 2011, 13:53

Finding all the right parts on eBay is a mission at the moment too... do you reckon many scrappy's would have my exact spec car in?

Michael.

5th April 2011, 16:06

No they probably won't but if its close you can always try.

Just wait around, someone on here may have the parts lying around. Pistonheads may do as well.

6th April 2011, 14:42

Okay brilliant. Ill keep you posted but it'll probably be a job for the summer!

Cheers guys,

Michael.