Vehicle Accident Repair Centre Ltd Maidstone Road, Sidcup DA14 5AQ

"Used this workshop for body repair as an Admiral insurance claim. The job was done perfectly and my car looks like brand new. They also cleaned the car sparkling shiny. Absolutely delighted with their work. The staff was really friendly, and as per my request they give me automatic courtesy car. It took them approx 4 weeks to complete the job, however after doing some searching and to the best of my knowledge most of the garage will take the same amount of time for this sort of Job. The communication was great as well and I was informed throughout the works. Thank you @Vehicle Accident Repair Center Sidcup for doing an amazing job. I would highly recommend them."

"This garage are the biggest cowboys going (apart from the receptionist who are very helpful). My car went in after an accident in June causing damage to the front and both sides of the car. On collection they had repaired the front but not touched the sides. An alloy was damaged in the accident and when I pointed out that it hadn’t been repaired a man from the garage came out claiming that they had repaired the one that hadn’t been damaged ( apparently he could see the wet paint). I voiced my concern that they hadn’t repaired the damage and that Admiral hadn’t requested the other parts to be repaired. After a short call to Admiral they confirmed that the garage had been sent the extra work. It was agreed that the car would go back in for further repair. I drove the car away and noticed that the speakers had been blown, there were warnings on the dash and a loud engine noise. The damage was front end and it turns out the garage only did cosmetic repairs. It was further reported to Admiral. I had a call from a rude manager at the garage claiming that his garage wouldn’t cause extra damage (as we found scratches on the back where it looked like it had been reversed in to a wall at low speed). Totally unaccountable and denied everything. The car eventually broke down and we had to be recovered due to the lack of investigation by this garage. 2 months later we are still without a car and claim that the damage isn’t accident related because the battery is flat. The battery is flat because these incompetent people didn’t repair the car and it was run flat after it died because it wasn’t repaired. I had an independent inspection of the vehicle who stated that the quality of repair was poor.Honestly please avoid at all costs. I have taken this up with Admiral to remove this garage from their list of approved repairer’s and made a complaint to the financial ombudsman. For anyone reading this, please re consider sending your vehicle here if admiral suggest it. Avoid at all costs!!!!"

"This was the garage selected to carry out the repairs on my Transit van after it was broken into. Absolutely fantastic team, they kept me up to date throughout the repair and answered any questions I had. The van was returned to me promptly, in excellent condition and their workmanship was exemplary. Massive thanks to them all."

"Front end damage on offside. They inspected the car a week later gave an estimate of when the car would be ready. Courtesy car was delayed as they said they were behind. Then another week later get a phone call saying a 2017 car with 17000 on the clock is now a write off. Annoyingly they even drove the car from our property to the garage."

"Avoid at all costs. Issues throughout every element of the process. Issue 1 It will take two weeks until your car can be assessed; it is relatively easy once there and takes around 15 minutes. However, you then have to wait a further two weeks to book your vehicle in for repair. Therefore, a month before any works even begins. Issue 2 If you would like an automatic courtesy car, they have none available or tell you it would be an extremely long delay to your vehicle repair. Issue 3 When you enter the reception area, they seem to have defensive mechanisms, which you worry what else have they got to hide. E.g. signage that you must remove all dash cams etc. One of the reasons maybe even though your car is booked in for repair it remains in the car park for two days before it is even looked at, my vehicle has an app fitted so you can vehicle location when engine is started etc. It was continuously moved between the garage and their outside car park. Issue 4 Be careful with any Debit/Credit card details you hand over. They are not PCI DSS compliant, they wrote my credit card details on a piece of paper and 3-digit code on the back and entered it into their computer system. They should not be holding credit card via this method and are in breach of PCI compliance. I am considering making a formal complaint against this breach of data security. What happened to that piece of paper with my details on. Issue 5 The hire vehicle you will be given is a Kia Picanto the very basic model. I reported a burning smell on day one and was advised not to use the heater, the clutch also seemed to have an issue and needed adjusting. When they provide you with a courtesy car they highlight all the damage, mine must off had 20 marks on before receiving. They will inform you they are going to charge you £50 for each one but don’t seem to repair their cars. Issue 6 When my car was returned I noticed damage to the back of the bumper, Vehicle Accident Repair denied all knowledge and said it did not occur at their location. I have reviewed photos, which I sent the insurance company and there was no damage on the rear bumper. I have this out using T Cut. When you vehicle goes in they do not give you the assessment page of your vehicle, I would now demand this as they can change it at any time and you have no copy. My advice would be to film all around your car whilst there so they cannot deny damaging your car, as they leave it in an outside carpark. They also leave your doors and windows unlocked which my Mercedes App was reporting. Final Thoughts Although I read the bad reviews online I thought I take a chance, I would advise anyone with Admiral Insurance to avoid this repair company at all costs, you are allowed to choose a garage of your own choice. I attach two photos showing no damage when taken there and then damage after."