Approved, accredited and network are three different things, and they are used loosely in advertising. Knowing what each one means makes it easier to judge a bodyshop.
Manufacturer approval
A manufacturer approval means the bodyshop has the tooling, equipment, training and technical data the vehicle maker requires for its models. Approvals are model specific and audited, and they matter most on aluminium, hybrid and electric vehicles.
↑ Back to contentsIndustry standards such as BS 10125
BS 10125 is the British Standard for vehicle body repair. It covers process control, equipment, technician competence and record keeping, and it is verified by external audit rather than self-declared.
↑ Back to contentsInsurer approved networks
An insurer network is a commercial arrangement. Standards are part of it, but so are cost and cycle time targets. Being in a network does not automatically mean higher quality, and being outside one does not mean lower.
↑ Back to contentsWhat to actually ask a bodyshop
Certificates on a wall tell you less than straight answers to a few direct questions.
- Which standards do you hold, and when were you last audited?
- Are your technicians qualified for my vehicle type and materials?
- Do you carry out ADAS calibration in house or subcontract it?
- What warranty comes with the repair, and what does it cover?
Frequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- Do I have to pay my insurance excess?When an excess applies after a non-fault accident, and the practical routes that can avoid paying one up front.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
Prefer to speak to someone now?
SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.