You send the same photograph to two bodyshops and receive two different prices. One mentions a bumper repair. The other includes removal, paintwork and checks around a sensor. Which one should you choose?
The best way to compare car body repair quotes in Surrey is to check the work behind each total. Look at the repair method, parts, paint preparation, any necessary checks, VAT and the arrangements for additional damage. A lower figure may cover less work, while a higher figure should come with a clear explanation.
You do not need to understand every workshop term. You need to know what the repair includes, what remains uncertain and what you are agreeing to pay for. This guide gives you practical questions to ask before booking.
Start by checking whether the quotes cover the same damage
A close-up photograph can make a scratch look like the whole job. A wider view might show that it continues across two panels, reaches a bumper edge or sits beside a damaged light.
Before comparing prices, give each repairer the same information. Include the vehicle registration, make and model, the damaged areas and how the damage happened. Mention any warning messages or changes you have noticed since the impact. This helps the repairer decide what needs inspection rather than assuming everything is cosmetic.
Ask each bodyshop to identify the panels covered by its estimate. “Repair the passenger side” is less useful than a description that names the front door, rear door and any related paintwork.
If one estimate is based on photographs and another follows an inspection, they are at different stages. Compare them with that difference in mind.
A useful question to ask first
“Does this figure cover all the damage shown, and what would you still need to inspect before confirming the repair?”
The answer should help you understand how complete the estimate is. It also gives the workshop a chance to explain anything your photos cannot show.
Ask what could change the price
Confirm whether the amount is an initial assessment, a detailed estimate or an agreed price for a defined scope of work. Ask the repairer to explain its terms in writing rather than relying on the heading on a document.
Some damage cannot be fully assessed until affected parts are removed. An initial estimate may therefore include assumptions about what lies behind a panel or bumper.
The important question is how a change will be handled. Before booking, agree how the workshop will contact you, explain additional work and seek approval. If an insurer is paying, ask who will arrange any further authorisation.
A revised estimate should make the change understandable. Ask which item has been added, why it is necessary and whether it changes the completion date.
Compare the repair method as well as the total
Two repair plans can differ because the workshops are proposing different ways to deal with the damage. Ask for the reasoning, especially when one suggests repairing a component and another recommends replacing it.
Dent repair and paintwork
If a dent has been assessed as suitable for a repair that preserves the paint, that is a different scope from reshaping and refinishing the panel. Ask which method is proposed and what the technician needs to check before confirming suitability.
Avoid choosing a method solely because its name sounds quicker or cheaper. The condition of your actual panel should guide the decision. For an assessment of the damage, explore 22 MOTORS™ car dent repairs in Surrey.
Bumper repair or replacement
A bumper estimate may involve more than the visible scuff. Ask whether the proposed work includes checking its fixings and any affected components behind it. If replacement is recommended, ask which findings led to that decision.
Our guide to bumper repair or replacement in Surrey explains the decision in more detail. When comparing estimates, make sure both repairers have considered the same damaged areas.
Parts and fittings
Where replacement parts are listed, ask what is being supplied and whether the estimate includes the related fittings. “New bumper” on its own may not tell you whether trim, brackets or other associated items are included.
If the proposed part specification differs between estimates, ask the repairers to explain compatibility with your vehicle and the applicable repair requirements. Record the agreed specification before work begins.
Understand why paintwork can extend beyond the scratch
Paintwork is often the part of a body repair estimate that raises the most questions. You may wonder why a neighbouring panel appears on the estimate when the visible damage is elsewhere.
Colour blending can be used to create a gradual visual transition between the repaired area and the existing finish. Whether it is needed depends on the colour, repair area and refinishing procedure. Paint manufacturer PPG includes colour identification, spray-out checks and blending within its refinishing procedures.
Ask the bodyshop which panels it plans to repair, which it plans to refinish and which may be involved in blending. These are different tasks, and the estimate should make that distinction understandable.
You can also ask what preparation and removal of surrounding trim are included. A useful explanation connects the work to the finish the repairer is trying to achieve. It should not leave you guessing why an extra panel appears on the document.
Check whether diagnostic or calibration work is relevant
Modern cars may have driver assistance equipment around areas involved in a body repair. This means a repair plan sometimes includes work that cannot be judged from the paint finish alone.
Ask the repairer whether the affected area contains or influences any driver assistance equipment, and which vehicle-specific instructions apply. Inspection, alignment or calibration requirements should follow the relevant repair procedure. Thatcham Research’s ADAS repair requirements explain the importance of identifying affected systems and keeping records of the required work.
This does not mean every scratch needs calibration. It means the requirement should be checked and explained. If it applies to your repair, ask what documentation you will receive at handover. You can read about 22 MOTORS™ ADAS calibration services before discussing your vehicle with the team.
Use this checklist to compare estimates
Put the written estimates beside each other and work through the same questions. Mark anything unclear and ask for an explanation before choosing.
| Item to compare | What to confirm |
| Damage included | The exact panels and components covered |
| Repair approach | What will be repaired, replaced or refinished |
| Replacement parts | The specification and associated fittings |
| Paintwork | Preparation, refinishing and any blending |
| Additional checks | Which vehicle-specific checks are required |
| Total payable | Whether VAT and any separate charges are included |
| Extra damage | How further work will be explained and authorised |
| Timing | Booking date, likely repair period and dependencies |
| Aftercare | Written terms, exclusions and reporting procedure |
The purpose is to make the estimates comparable. A short estimate is not automatically wrong, but you should be able to get clear answers about what it covers.
Why the cheapest and most expensive quotes both need questions
A lower price can be reasonable when the proposed work is smaller or a simpler repair is suitable. It can also look attractive because some necessary work has not yet been assessed. The figure alone does not tell you which situation applies.
Equally, a higher price is not proof of better workmanship. Ask what additional work it includes and why that work is relevant to your vehicle.
Consider this illustrative example: one estimate describes a local cosmetic repair to a bumper, while another includes removal, inspection of the fixings and a wider refinishing process. Those are different scopes. Before deciding, ask why each repairer considers its approach appropriate. This is an example of how estimates can differ, not a claim about a particular customer or competitor.
Choose the repair plan you understand, supported by a clear assessment and written terms. Avoid treating either a low price or an impressive-looking total as a substitute for that explanation.
Send photographs that help the bodyshop assess the damage
Good photographs can make the first conversation more useful. Take them when the car is parked safely and there is enough light to show the damage clearly.
- Take a wider photograph showing where the damage sits on the vehicle.
- Include the whole affected panel rather than only the damaged spot.
- Add a close-up showing the scratch, dent or crack.
- Include the neighbouring panels and any visible gaps or displaced trim.
- Describe anything the camera does not capture, such as a new warning message.
Do not remove trim, crawl under an unsupported vehicle or move the car into danger to get a photograph. If you are unsure whether it is safe to drive, ask the repairer about assessment or recovery arrangements before bringing it in.
Photos support an initial discussion; they do not reveal every hidden area. Be prepared for the workshop to request an inspection before confirming the scope.
Agree the booking details before leaving your car
Repair cost matters, but so does knowing how the appointment will work. Ask whether the proposed date is the inspection date or the date repairs are expected to start. Confirm whether any parts need to arrive first.
Discuss how updates will be provided and who to contact with questions. If you need alternative transport, confirm availability and conditions before relying on it. Do the same for collection, delivery or storage arrangements, including any separate charges.
For drivers travelling from Guildford, Godalming or elsewhere in Surrey, getting these details settled beforehand can prevent an unnecessary journey. 22 MOTORS™ lists its workshop at 46.2 Dunsfold Park, Canada Avenue, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TB. Use the contact page and directions to plan an agreed visit.
What to check when collecting your vehicle
Keep a copy of the agreed estimate so you can discuss the completed work at handover. Ask the workshop to explain any approved changes and walk you through the repaired areas.
Check the appearance in suitable lighting and ask about any concern while you are there. Where diagnostics or calibration formed part of the work, request the relevant records. Ask for aftercare instructions that match the repair carried out, including advice about washing or applying protective products.
Finally, keep the invoice and any written warranty or guarantee terms together. Confirm who to contact if you notice a problem later. This is easier than trying to reconstruct the agreement from messages several weeks afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a car body repair estimate from photographs
Photographs can help a bodyshop provide an initial assessment. Include wide views and close-ups, along with your vehicle details. An inspection may still be needed to confirm the repair method or identify damage that the images cannot show.
Why are two body repair quotes so different
They may cover different panels, repair methods, parts, paintwork or checks. One may also be more provisional than the other. Ask each repairer to explain its scope and assumptions before comparing the final amounts.
Should I get more than one estimate
Comparing estimates can help you understand your options. Send the same information to each repairer and compare the work included. Collecting several prices is less useful if each one describes a different job.
Does a small scratch mean a small repair bill
The visible size alone cannot establish the required work. Ask what the assessment found and which preparation or refinishing tasks are included. A vehicle-specific estimate is more useful than a general online price.
Will my final bill match the first estimate
That depends on what was assessed and agreed. Ask in advance what could change the figure and how additional work will be authorised. Keep the written scope and any approved amendments.
Can I request an estimate from 22 MOTORS
Yes. The 22 MOTORS™ online estimate form lets you provide your contact details, registration number, description of the issue and an image. Give enough context for the team to understand the damage and advise on the next step.
Request a clear repair estimate from 22 MOTORS
If you are comparing car body repairs in Surrey, start with a clear account of what happened and photographs of the affected areas. Tell us what you would like assessed and any concerns you have noticed since the damage occurred.
Request a free no-obligation car body repair estimate from 22 MOTORS™. The team can review the information you provide and advise whether an inspection is needed. Before booking, ask for the proposed work, likely timing and any remaining assumptions to be explained.
