FAQ's

No. In most cases, you have the legal right to choose where your vehicle is repaired following an accident.

Insurance companies may recommend one of their approved repairers, however you are not usually obligated to use them and can request that your vehicle is repaired by your preferred repair centre.

At West Midlands Accident Repairs, we regularly work with customers and insurers to help arrange repairs through their insurance claim.

If you would like your vehicle repaired by us but are unsure how to proceed with your insurer, please contact our team and we will be happy to guide you through the process.

Repair times depend on the level of damage, parts availability and any insurer approvals required. Minor repairs can sometimes be completed in as little as one working day, while more extensive accident repairs may take longer.

Vehicle servicing can usually be completed the same day, allowing you to get back on the road as quickly as possible.

Once your vehicle has been assessed, our team will provide you with an estimated completion date and keep you updated throughout the process.

At West Midlands Accident Repairs, we always aim to complete all repairs and servicing efficiently without compromising on quality or safety.

Occasionally, timescales may change if additional hidden damage is identified, parts are delayed or further insurer approval is required.

When your vehicle is booked in, our team will provide an estimated completion date wherever possible.

Throughout the repair or servicing process, you will receive regular updates from our team by WhatsApp, SMS, email or phone, depending on your preferred method of communication.

For accident repairs, we may also update you as your vehicle progresses through key repair stages such as strip, panel, paint, refit, quality control and valet preparation.

Once all work has been completed, we will contact you to let you know your vehicle is ready for collection.

Yes. We offer fast, free-of-charge repair estimates for both insurance and private repair work.

You can request an estimate using the Estimate button on our website, by calling our team or by emailing info@wmar.co.uk

In many cases, photo estimates can initially be provided, although some vehicles may still require an in-person assessment.

Yes. We regularly provide private repair quotations for customers who prefer not to claim through their insurance.

This is common for smaller repairs and cosmetic damage where customers would prefer to arrange repairs privately.

We have a fully qualified VDA estimator on site and offer fast, free-of-charge repair estimates.

You can request an estimate using the Estimate button on our website, by calling our team or by emailing info@wmar.co.uk

West Midlands Accident Repairs is a family-run repair centre committed to delivering high-quality vehicle repairs, servicing and customer care.

We combine experienced technicians, manufacturer-approved repair methods, modern equipment and regular customer communication to ensure every repair is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

From minor cosmetic repairs through to major accident damage, our team takes pride in providing a professional and personal service from estimate through to handover.

Yes, we may be able to provide a courtesy vehicle while your vehicle is with us for repairs, subject to availability.

Courtesy vehicle arrangements can vary depending on whether the repair is insurance-funded, non-fault, retail or linked to a specific insurer agreement.

Our team will discuss the available options with you when your repair booking is arranged and will always do our best to keep you mobile during the repair process.

The insurance repair process will usually follow the stages below. Please note that every repair is different, so not all vehicles will require every stage.

- Claim details and vehicle information received

- Vehicle assessment and damage appraisal completed

- Repair estimate prepared and submitted for insurer approval

- Vehicle booked in and required parts ordered

- Vehicle disassembled and fully assessed for any additional damage

- Repair plan confirmed and any supplementary parts ordered if required

- Structural, panel and mechanical repairs completed

- Preparation and paint process carried out

- Vehicle refitted and safety systems checked

- ADAS calibration and wheel alignment completed where required

- Quality control inspection and final valet completed

- Customer contacted to arrange vehicle collection and handover

Throughout the repair process, our team will keep you updated on your vehicle’s progress by WhatsApp, SMS, email or phone.

Yes. Our team is able to carry out repairs and servicing on many electric and hybrid vehicles using the appropriate repair methods, equipment and safety procedures.

If you have any questions regarding your specific vehicle, please contact our team and we will be happy to advise further.

Yes. We regularly work with business, fleet and company vehicles requiring repairs, servicing and maintenance.

Our team understands the importance of minimising vehicle downtime and keeping your business moving wherever possible.

Please contact our team to discuss your requirements or ongoing vehicle repair and servicing needs.

Every vehicle repair or servicing requirement is different, and occasionally delays can occur during the process.

This may be due to parts availability, additional damage or faults being identified once work has started, or further approval being required from your insurer for accident-related repairs.

In some cases, insurers may also wish to inspect the vehicle before authorising supplementary repairs.

If any delays arise, our team will keep you fully updated throughout the process and work to complete all repairs and servicing as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Once repairs have been authorised, our team will arrange a convenient book-in date for your vehicle.

This allows time for any required replacement parts to be ordered in advance, helping to minimise the amount of time your vehicle needs to remain with us during the repair process.

For servicing and routine maintenance, appointments can often be arranged much sooner, with many services completed the same day.

We always follow manufacturer repair methods and will use genuine manufacturer parts where required or specified as part of the repair process.

In some cases, alternative approved parts may be discussed depending on the vehicle, repair type or insurer requirements.

Our team will always ensure any parts used meet the appropriate safety and quality standards.

Yes. All repairs carried out by West Midlands Accident Repairs are completed using approved repair methods, quality materials and to high industry standards.

If you have any concerns following collection of your vehicle, please contact our team and we will be happy to assist.

In most cases, we prefer customers to bring their vehicle directly to us so that our team can carry out a full inspection with you present.

This helps us identify any existing damage, discuss the authorised repairs clearly and ensure everything is properly documented before work begins.

Once repairs are complete, we also encourage customers to collect their vehicle in person so we can walk you through the completed repairs and ensure you are completely satisfied with the finished work before your vehicle is handed back to you.

Collection and delivery options may still be available in certain circumstances, depending on location and availability.

Please remove any personal belongings from your vehicle before bringing it to us for repair or servicing.

During the repair process, our technicians may need access to areas behind trim panels, seats, boot compartments and other interior areas of the vehicle to carry out repairs safely and efficiently.

Removing personal items also helps protect your belongings, as workshop environments can become dusty during repair work. For this reason, we recommend that valuables and personal possessions are not left inside the vehicle while it is with us.

Yes. As part of our standard process, all vehicles receive a complimentary wash and interior vacuum before collection following repairs.

This helps ensure your vehicle is returned to you clean, presentable and ready for handover.

If you are interested in additional valeting or detailing services, please speak to our team who will be happy to discuss the available options with you.

Repair costs can vary depending on the level of damage, parts required, labour, paint materials and whether the work is being completed through an insurance claim or as a private repair.

For private repairs and servicing work, our team will be happy to discuss the estimated costs with you before any work is carried out.

For some insurance-funded repairs, insurers may manage the repair authorisation and costing process directly, which can limit the information we are permitted to share regarding the full repair value.

If additional damage is identified during the repair process, we will always discuss any necessary supplementary work or approvals with you where applicable.

Yes. We are happy to provide private repair quotations for any additional non-accident related damage identified on your vehicle.

This may include cosmetic damage such as scratches, dents, scuffs or alloy wheel refurbishment that falls outside the insurance-authorised repairs.

Please mention this when booking your vehicle in, or during your vehicle assessment, and our team will be happy to discuss the available repair options with you. All quotations are provided free of charge and without obligation.

Insurance companies will only authorise repairs relating to the accident damage included within the approved insurance claim.

Any unrelated damage, previous damage or additional cosmetic repairs outside the authorised claim cannot normally be completed as part of the insurance-funded repair.

However, we are happy to provide a separate private quotation for any additional repairs you may wish to have carried out while your vehicle is with us.

Please speak to our team during the assessment or repair process if you would like us to discuss any additional work. All quotations are provided free of charge and without obligation.

If your vehicle is deemed a total loss, your insurer will normally discuss the settlement value and next steps directly with you.

Before making this decision, the insurer may inspect the vehicle either at its current location or at the repair centre.

In some cases, customers may also have the option to retain the vehicle, depending on the insurer’s decision and the category of damage involved.

If you have any questions during the process, our team will be happy to assist and guide you where possible.

Any applicable insurance excess or VAT contribution is normally payable once repairs have been completed, prior to collection of your vehicle.

Our team will confirm any amounts due and the available payment methods before your vehicle is ready for handover.

Your insurance excess or VAT contribution is the portion of the repair cost that you are responsible for under the terms of your insurance policy.

In most cases, the insurer asks us to collect these payments directly from you and deduct the amount from the final repair invoice submitted to them.

VAT contributions may apply in certain circumstances, for example where a customer or business is VAT registered and able to reclaim the VAT element of the repair costs directly from HMRC.

Our team will always explain any applicable excess or VAT charges before your vehicle is ready for collection.

In some cases, VAT-registered customers or businesses may be required to pay the VAT element of the repair costs directly and reclaim this through their VAT return.

Our team will explain any applicable VAT contributions before collection of your vehicle.