Bodyshops nr Portsmouth

[AndWhyNot]

The front end of our Leon Cupra received some unintentional cosmetic modifications earlier this evening and it ain't pretty.

Likely to go through insurance but not expecting them to dictate bodyshop. Any recommendations or places to avoid - or any lurking PHers who happen to be in the business of reinstating the factory look?

[AndWhyNot]

For the record, I was at home at the time

[doorman]

There are plenty of good body shops out there, and lots more bad one's, I found 2 of them to my cost, however, I also found one of the very best, and thats The Volvo Body Shop in Fareham, and yes, they are as good on other makes as well.
Happy hunting Andy

[sotonboy1977]

Avoid nationwide at gosport....rubbish

[ddw78]

ERB Motors in Claybank Road, Copnor.

Pop down for a chat and a look around and the best/free advice on making a claim.

[george123]

Bit further out but M&L Body Refinishers are very good, in Stroud just outside Petersfield, expensive but not necessarily an issue if its insurance.

[doorman]

george123 said:

Bit further out but M&L Body Refinishers are very good, in Stroud just outside Petersfield, expensive but not necessarily an issue if its insurance.

Although I recommended Volvo Body Shop earlier, I would defiantly endorse this company.

[AndWhyNot]

Cool, thanks for the suggestions chaps

[Fuzzy72]

doorman said:

george123 said:

Bit further out but M&L Body Refinishers are very good, in Stroud just outside Petersfield, expensive but not necessarily an issue if its insurance.

Although I recommended Volvo Body Shop earlier, I would defiantly endorse this company.

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

[george123]

Fuzzy72 said:

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

You mean the Volvo bodyshop or M&L?

[Fuzzy72]

george123 said:

Fuzzy72 said:

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

You mean the Volvo bodyshop or M&L?

Sorry, meant the Volvo body shop.

[twin40s]

ddw78 said:

ERB Motors in Claybank Road, Copnor.

Pop down for a chat and a look around and the best/free advice on making a claim.

I'll add another recommendation for ERB.

Did a good job at a sensible price.

[doorman]

Fuzzy72 said:

george123 said:

Fuzzy72 said:

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

You mean the Volvo bodyshop or M&L?

Sorry, meant the Volvo body shop.

There are several body shops on this industrial site, with respect, firstly, it is highly unlikely that an insurance company would have sent a van to Volvo, second, it would be good to be sure of your facts before putting there reputation at stake, third, why on earth did you not complain?

[Fuzzy72]

doorman said:

Fuzzy72 said:

george123 said:

Fuzzy72 said:

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

You mean the Volvo bodyshop or M&L?

Sorry, meant the Volvo body shop.

There are several body shops on this industrial site, with respect, firstly, it is highly unlikely that an insurance company would have sent a van to Volvo, second, it would be good to be sure of your facts before putting there reputation at stake, third, why on earth did you not complain?

It was a Vollvo body shop because i was surprised it went there as my van is a Citroen and regards to complaining, the rust and fading happened happened later, so its a bit late to complain by then.

[ddw78]

Although I can't comment on the quality of work, I can clarify that Cambridge Accident Repair Centre is owned/run by the Volvo people, although they do hold approvals for insurance companies.

[Tib]

Depends how far you are willing to travel. Blitz in Fareham are said to be pretty decent.

Sandydown are further afield, but they are meant to be the best in Hampshire.

[Fuzzy72]

doorman said:

Fuzzy72 said:

george123 said:

Fuzzy72 said:

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

You mean the Volvo bodyshop or M&L?

Sorry, meant the Volvo body shop.

There are several body shops on this industrial site, with respect, firstly, it is highly unlikely that an insurance company would have sent a van to Volvo, second, it would be good to be sure of your facts before putting there reputation at stake, third, why on earth did you not complain?

Just to clarify, the place I'm talking about is Cambridge Accident Repair Centre on Standard Way. As you correctly said, don't want to put someones reputation on the line if we are talking about two different places. Is this the place you are talking about?

[doorman]

Fuzzy72 said:

doorman said:

Fuzzy72 said:

george123 said:

Fuzzy72 said:

Is this the body shop on the industrial estate next to the motorway? If it is, they did an insurance job for me which i didn't rate at all. My van had a head on disagreement with a lamppost 2 1/2 years ago and lost, so needed a new front end, bonnet and lights. The insurance company dealt with it and sent the van to the above mentioned body shop.
When I picked the van up there was a slight dent in the bonnet, but i wasn't too fussed with this as it is a work van. They also didn't align the headlights either, which i'm constantly reminded of by other drivers flashing me thinking i've got my lights on full beam. 2 1/2 years on and there is rust on the returns of the bonnet and the black plastic bumper has faded, now not matching the side trim and rear bumper.
This might be just a one off from this shop, but i thuoght i'd let you know of my experince with them.

You mean the Volvo bodyshop or M&L?

Sorry, meant the Volvo body shop.

There are several body shops on this industrial site, with respect, firstly, it is highly unlikely that an insurance company would have sent a van to Volvo, second, it would be good to be sure of your facts before putting there reputation at stake, third, why on earth did you not complain?

Just to clarify, the place I'm talking about is Cambridge Accident Repair Centre on Standard Way. As you correctly said, don't want to put someones reputation on the line if we are talking about two different places. Is this the place you are talking about?

Yes it is, I'm so sorry you had a bad experience, I to had a disasters experience from 2 local body shops where I live almost righting off my pride and joy last year, however Volvo Cambridge Body Shop came to my rescue and completely re-sprayed my car bringing it back to its forma glory and then some, picture shows results;

[Ginger's VW]

Try VRC in Waterlooville - http://www.checkatrade.com/VrcVehicleRepairCentre/

[JimD]

My E46 325 is at Banburys in Segensworth having some dents taken out of roof. Used them for private work before and have not had a problem..
http://www.banburys.net/