You’ve invested so much into your classic car. It’s likely that this motor is your pride and joy. You may have taken it to the shows, or attending the shows might be the reason you were inspired to make your purchase.
So, if something goes wrong, getting it repaired needs all the care and attention you can give it. If this is the first time something has gone wrong with your car, you may be wondering how to find a specialist to repair it – and you’re right to think that you need a specialist service here, as your car will need expert assistance.
To help you take the steps to get your classic model up and running at its best, read on.
What to Know?
Before you jump into looking for local specialists, it’s worth noting that repairing or restoring a classic car can take time. This is a project that requires careful attention as it may be that pieces and parts are tricky to come by or it could be that matching the paint colour exactly requires a lot of research in order to find the perfect fit.
Therefore, you will need to set your expectations early on. Unlike typical motor repairs that can take a day or two, this could be something that takes a few weeks or even months.
Another thing to expect is the cost. If your classic car needs a full restoration, it can cost anything from £15,000 and £40,000. The exact cost will depend on several factors, including the type of car, the level of work that needs to be carried out, and what tools are needed to get the job done.
Specialist tools are often used to ensure these cars are fully restored or repaired to their former glory, while preserving the qualities that make them so special. However, these tools, while essential for updating the car, can impact on the cost.
For instance, if there is damage to the bodywork, plasma cutters can be used to repair the damage. If you choose an auto repair business that can confidently handle this type of tool, you are likely to find that your motor is restored, and that this will be reflected in the final cost.
What to Look Out For?
Now you know what to expect, you can start looking for specialist services in your area. You will need to find a registered business that can do the work.
First, it’s worth understanding that the specialist you choose is responsible for ensuring the right parts are used and fitted correctly so that your classic car is roadworthy. This is a legal requirement and protects you when using their services.
Additionally, pricing must be fair, and they must be transparent with you at every stage. Again, this is to protect you.
To make sure you’re choosing one that can offer expert repairs, you can also look out for their licences. They should hold several licences to operate and knowing what these are can help you to choose a specialist that can help you with repairs and advise on your restoration.
There are standard licences that cover pollution. Be aware of environmental permits if you’re in England or Wales, or pollution prevention and control permits if you’re in Scotland or Northern Ireland. These will be issued by the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), or Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
As well as environmental credentials, if they offer MOT testing on classic or any type of car, they will need to be authorised by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. This is something to be aware of when looking for an appropriate classic car auto expert.
Other Tips
As well as checking out their credentials, there are other tips to help you find the best specialist for your car:
- you can look out for reviews from previous customers
- speak to the classic car community in your area to see if anyone can recommend any restoration experts
- look out for any associations that local auto experts are members of to see what credentials they have
