State-of-the-art bodyshop completed during lockdown opens its doors

A brand new bodyshop in the east of England, delivered at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, has opened its doors after a six-month fit-out by LKQ Euro Car Parts’ Workshop Solutions team.

East Bilney Coachworks’ eighth site, in Thetford, is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for servicing vehicles that feature increasingly sophisticated technology. Designed to be a one-stop-shop for all vehicle repair needs, it has a full suite of diagnostic tools to allow every vehicle in the workshop – including hybrids and electric vehicles – to receive a full pre- and post-service analysis.

This enables the team to properly understand the extent of the damage done to a vehicle beyond any visible bumps and scrapes, create a bespoke repair plan and re-test all components and sensors at the end of a service to guarantee roadworthiness.

The workshop is also fitted out with the latest bodyshop equipment such as ramps, dent pullers and welders, and features a sliding spray booth capable of painting seven vehicles at a time, significantly boosting the site’s capacity and reducing key-to-key time for customers.

Mark Baldwin, director at East Bilney Coachworks, said: “We now have all the equipment we need to do anything the main dealerships can do – and we’ve got manufacturer approval to service a series of leading makes and models. This means we’re in a position to ensure every insurer and driver can send vehicles our way with confidence, knowing that they can expect the highest standards of service every time.”

Adam White, Workshop Solutions director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, added: “As the vehicles on our roads become smarter, it’s vital that technicians across every discipline have the skills and tools available to service them.

“Whenever a car equipped with ADAS, for example, is involved in a collision, there’s a risk of its finely-tuned sensors being knocked out of calibration. Bodyshops must be ready to address this as standard in any vehicle repair, becoming a true one-stop-shop to help drivers get their vehicles back as quickly as possible.”