EV battery packs cannot be visually inspected for collision damage. Assessment requires manufacturer diagnostic interrogation, isolation procedures, and IMI Level 3 (or Level 4 for HV-live work) qualified technicians. Bodyshops without verified EV authority should not be deployed for any collision involving battery, drive-unit or HV-loom areas. Solution Repair Group has 21 of 23 sites EV-capable.
Why EV claims are different
An EV battery pack failure or thermal-runaway incident after a collision is one of the most expensive single events an insurer can face. Battery replacement on a modern EV typically costs £15,000–£40,000 and replacement availability is constrained. Assessment cannot be done visually because the battery is sealed beneath the floor pan and integrated structurally.
Insurers are increasingly seeing EV claims rejected for repair by under-qualified bodyshops or written off prematurely because no qualified bodyshop in the local area is willing to inspect properly. Both outcomes are avoidable with the right panel network.
What proper EV damage assessment looks like
Step one is HV isolation by an IMI Level 3-qualified technician. Step two is OEM diagnostic interrogation — for Tesla via Toolbox, for BMW via ISTA, for Mercedes via XENTRY, etc. Step three is structural inspection of the battery enclosure and HV loom routing. Step four is a documented decision: repair, repair-with-monitoring, or replace.
Each step must be recorded with timestamps, technician sign-off, and supporting diagnostic output. This is the documentation pattern BS10125 audits and OEM warranty recovery both require.
What procurement teams should require
Three minimum requirements: (1) IMI Level 3 HV qualifications across at least 2 technicians per site handling EV work, (2) OEM diagnostic licences for the EV brands the bodyshop will see, and (3) a documented escalation route for HV-live work or suspected battery damage to IMI Level 4 or OEM technical authority.
Solution Repair Group operates this pattern across 21 of 23 sites with documented OEM relationships for Tesla, BMW i-Series, Mercedes EQ, Audi e-tron, Porsche Taycan, JLR EV, Volvo EX, Hyundai IONIQ, Kia EV and Stellantis EV brands.
EV high-voltage and ADAS calibration specialists
The Solution Repair Group EV and ADAS specialist team coordinates electric-vehicle repair authority and ADAS calibration governance across the network. They maintain manufacturer-approved tooling, IMI Level 3 and Level 4…