How to Choose a Bodyshop in Bramhall or Hazel Grove: 7 Checks

The seven checks

1. BS 10125 accreditation — the British Standard for accident repair. Non-negotiable.
2. Manufacturer approvals — BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Jaguar Land Rover. Match to your car.
3. Water-based two-stage paint — legal requirement since 2007. Old solvent-based paint is a warning sign.
4. ADAS calibration on site — modern cars need it after any front-end repair. Outsourcing adds delay.
5. Written and locked quote — before work starts, not after.
6. Lifetime paint warranty — proper bodyshops back their work forever.
7. Insurer approvals — Aviva, Admiral, AXA, Direct Line, LV=. If your insurer approves them, they have been audited.

Warning signs

• "We'll settle up when it's done"
• No paint booth on site — jobs get sent out
• Quote written on the back of a job card
• No courtesy car offered
• Cash-only pricing

How Solution Stockport ticks every box

BS 10125 accredited, IMI TechSafe for EV, manufacturer approvals for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, JLR, Volvo, MG and Ford. Every quote written and locked, every job backed by a lifetime paint warranty, every insurance claim comes with a courtesy car as standard.

Frequently asked

Are dealership bodyshops better?

Not really. Most dealerships subcontract to independent workshops like ours. You pay a 25-30% mark-up for the badge on the door.

Can I use my own bodyshop even if the insurer suggests theirs?

Yes. You have full choice of repairer by law.

Will the insurer refuse if I choose an independent?

No, provided the bodyshop is BS 10125 accredited (which we are).