Car body repairs for Swanley: dents, scuffs and motorway knocks

The car body repairs Swanley drivers ask about most

Spend a lot of time on the M25, the M20 or the A20 and the damage that builds up is mostly small: stone chips along the bonnet and front bumper, a scuffed corner from a tight space, a door ding, a wing mirror clipped in a lane change. None of it stops the car. You notice it every time you walk up to it, though, and it costs you when you sell or hand back a lease.

What we can do about it:

• Scuffs, light scratches and small dents can often be put right as a smart repair, working on the damaged area only rather than the whole panel. Our minor car repairs page explains the options.
• The express repairs line fast-tracks small jobs like these, usually in around 48 hours.
• Scratches that have gone through to primer or bare metal need a proper paint repair, mixed to your paint code and blended into the panels either side.

Handing back a lease car? The BVRLA fair wear and tear guide lets some small dents and chips go, but not dents on the roof or on a swage line, and your lease company sets its own terms on top. Our lease return repairs page goes through what to check.

Knocks on the M25 and M20

When it's more than a scuff, a motorway knock is often a rear-end shunt in queuing traffic or a clip from someone changing lanes. Swanley sits at junction 3, where the M20 and A20 meet the M25, so a lot of local driving involves one or the other.

What you do afterwards doesn't change because it's a motorway. Stop. If someone's injured or a lane is blocked, ring 999. Get the other driver's name, address, registration and insurer, and give them yours. If that can't happen at the scene, the police need to hear about it within 24 hours.

Pothole damage on the M25 or M20 is a claim against National Highways, not the council. Our guide to pothole damage claims in Essex, Kent and South London explains how to claim.

Claim on your insurance, or pay for it yourself?

If someone else caused the damage and you know who they are, it's a non-fault claim, so call us before your insurer. We claim the cost from their insurer. You get a replacement car similar to your own, free of charge, there's no excess, and your no claims bonus is left alone. More on that in non-fault accident claims.

If it was your fault, do the sums first. Compare our price with your excess, and bear in mind a claim can affect your premium at renewal. We'll give you a price either way. If you do claim, we'll deal with your insurer for you, and if they won't supply a courtesy car, ask about borrowing one from our fleet.

Getting here from Swanley, Hextable and Crockenhill

From Swanley, take the B2173 to junction 3 and join the M25 heading north. Leave at junction 2, the next one, then follow the A296 Princes Road through Dartford to Watling Street and on to London Road. We're on the Dewlands Estate at 94-98 London Road, Dartford DA2 6AX. That's about 6 miles, or 11 minutes when the motorway's moving.

You come off before the Dartford Crossing, so there's no Dart Charge to pay. From Hextable or Crockenhill, the route is the same once you're on the M25.

Collection, delivery and estimates where the car is

Short on time? We can pick the car up and bring it back afterwards, anywhere within 20 miles of our Dartford site, Hextable and Crockenhill included. Our mobile estimate service means you can have a price without bringing the car in first.

Reviews

Before you book, have a look at the Google reviews for our Dartford site.

Contact details and opening hours

• Newbridge Dartford, Dewlands Estate, 94-98 London Road, Dartford DA2 6AX
• Phone: 01322 930 719
• Email: dartford@newbridgearc.com
• Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; closed weekends

The Dartford accident repair centre page covers the site in more detail, including its BSI Kitemark. Or get a quote online by sending us a few photos.