Dent Removal London: What to Expect From Your First Visit

dent removal If you have never taken your car to a body shop before, the whole process can feel a bit daunting. What happens when you arrive? How long will it take? Will the repair actually look good? These are completely normal questions, and this guide is here to walk you through exactly what to expect from start to finish.

At Infiniti Motor Group in Barking, East London, we carry out dent repairs every single day. Whether it is a shopping trolley ding, a car park knock, or hail damage, we see it all. Here is what a typical first visit looks like.

 

Step 1: Booking Your Appointment

Before anything else, you will need to get in touch to arrange a visit. You can do this by phone or by filling in the contact form on the website. It is helpful to describe the damage as best you can, for example where it is on the car and roughly how big it is.

Once your appointment is confirmed, simply turn up at the right time. The workshop is based at Unit 12 Barking Industrial Park, Alfred’s Way, Barking, London IG11 0TJ. It is easy to find and has space to pull in your vehicle.

 

Step 2: The Initial Inspection

When you arrive, a technician will look at your car in detail. This is not a quick glance. They use specialist lighting and precision tools to check the full extent of the damage. This matters because what looks like one small dent on the surface can sometimes involve a larger area underneath.

The technician will assess each panel carefully and check whether the paintwork has been broken or is still intact. This step determines which repair method is best for your car.

 

Step 3: Choosing the Right Repair Method

There are two main ways a dent can be fixed. Which one is used depends on the type and size of the damage, and whether the paint has been affected.

Repair Method
Best For
Paint Needed?
Typical Time
Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)
Small to medium dents, intact paint
No
A few hours
Traditional Body Repair
Larger dents, damaged paint
Yes
2 to 5 days

Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) is the most common method used for everyday dents. The technician accesses the panel from behind and gently pushes the dent back out, leaving the original paint completely untouched. It is fast, cost-effective, and leaves no trace that a dent was ever there.

Traditional body repair is used when the paint has cracked or the dent is too deep for PDR. This involves filling, reshaping, and respraying the panel to match the rest of the car. The colour is matched carefully so the repair blends in completely.

Both methods are part of the dent removal services offered at Infiniti Motor Group.

 

Step 4: Getting Your Quote

Once the inspection is done, you will be given a free, no-obligation estimate. This will cover the recommended repair approach, the expected cost, and how long the work will take.

There are no hidden fees. The price you are quoted is the price you pay. If you decide not to go ahead, that is fine too. There is no pressure.

Typical pricing as a guide:

  • Small dent repairs: around £80 to £150
  • Larger dents: around £200 to £500
  • Repairs requiring paintwork: priced depending on the panel and extent of damage

 

Step 5: The Repair Itself

Once you have agreed to go ahead, the repair work begins. For PDR jobs, many can be completed the same day. For more complex repairs involving paint, you may need to leave the car for two to five days to allow the paint to dry and cure properly.

The team at Infiniti Motor Group uses high-quality materials and manufacturer-approved techniques throughout. Every repair comes with a guarantee, so if something is not right with the work, it will be fixed again at no extra cost.

 

Step 6: Checking the Finished Result

When the repair is complete, you will be shown the car before you drive away. A properly carried out dent repair should leave no visible sign that any damage ever occurred. The panel should look smooth and the paint should match perfectly.

Do not be afraid to look closely in different lighting conditions. A good body shop will welcome this. If anything does not look right to you, say so before you leave.

 

What If the Damage Was Caused by an Accident?

If your dent was the result of a road accident, you may not need to pay anything upfront. Infiniti Motor Group is fully approved by all major insurance providers and can deal directly with your insurer on your behalf.

The team handles all the paperwork from start to finish, which means you do not have to spend time on hold with insurance companies or fill in complicated forms. This is all part of the accident claim management service, which takes the stress out of the whole experience.

If you are unsure about your rights when dealing with a car repair and insurance, the Citizens Advice page on problems with a car repair is a useful and independent source of guidance.

 

Common Questions From First-Time Visitors

Will I be able to see where the dent was? No. When a repair is done properly, the finished panel should look exactly as it did before the damage occurred. There should be no bumps, ripples, or colour difference.

Do I need to book, or can I just turn up? It is always best to book in advance. This means a technician will be ready for your car and the job can be planned properly.

Can shopping trolley dents be fixed? Yes. These are one of the most common types of dent seen at body shops. They are usually ideal for PDR and can often be sorted in a matter of hours.

What if my car is a newer model or a premium brand? The same repair methods apply regardless of the make or model. Infiniti Motor Group has experience working on a wide range of vehicles, including modern and high-end cars.

Will the repair affect my car's value? A properly completed dent repair should maintain or restore the value of your car. Leaving a dent untreated is usually more damaging to resale value than having it repaired professionally.