Big dent in sill - repair or replace

[HughG]

Our neighbour reversed into the side of our mk6 Golf at the weekend, and her rear wheel has put a dent in the driver door and sill.

The dent in the sill is about 300mm wide and 50mm deep over its full height. The top surface of the sill has deformed upwards.

I got a quote from a bodyshop near work and they are suggesting to pull the dent out rather than replace the sill.

We agreed to get quotes and then decide whether to claim on her insurance or not, and I suspect given yesterdays £~1400 quote it is pretty marginal whether she decides to go that way or not.

My query is whether I am likely to find anywhere that will replace the sill rather than just pull the dent out? Or is pulling it out accepted as being an adequate repair? If yes I think I will push to go the insurance route and get it done properly.

Hugh

Edited by HughG on Wednesday 24th January 07:31

[mon the fish]

Replacing the sill will require welding, so I suppose if it can be pulled out and filled/painted/blended that's going to be the easier way; I'd imagine most bodyshops will do this if they can.

Also, not sure of how much of the outer sill you can see is structural - which makes it more of a faff to replace

[paintman]

Very likely they will also opt for pulling the dent out. Quicker & cheaper than cutting the old one off & welding a new one on which is whythe insurance company are likely to go that way.
I expect it will be done by welding tags onto the dent & then pulling it out & tapping down the upwards bulge followed by fill & paint.

[steveo3002]

replacemet will have a join at each end of the new bit , plus all the seams disturbed that you can never protect as well as the factory did it

if they say they can repair it let them , a new sill wont make it better

[DetailBear]

I agree with the rest of you guys, a repair will generally be the better option as cutting in a new panel will be a lot of work and probably have more filler involved.

Although it is hard to judge without a picture to show the damage.