Welding and Structural Repairs in Tyne and Wear

Modern cars are built as a single shell, with strong sections designed to protect the occupants and to crumple in a predictable way in a crash. If that structure is cut, bent or weakened, it can no longer do its job in the way the maker intended.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we carry out welding and structural repairs as part of our accident and body repair work. Whether a particular car is repairable is only decided after inspection, and this page explains how we think about it.

Where structural work comes up

Structure is not just about crashes. Corrosion can eat through the sections that carry load, and age and wear can weaken them. It is typically needed in a handful of circumstances.

• Damage from a collision that has pushed or bent the shell
• Corrosion in sills, floor sections or mounting points
• Failed sections found at an MOT
• Repair of mounting points for suspension or seat belts
• Cut-and-replace work on damaged panels

What the work involves

Damaged or weakened sections are assessed, then cut out cleanly. New metal or replacement sections are shaped to fit, welded in and finished so that the joint is sound. After welding, the area is treated against corrosion and refinished.

The precise method depends on the metal and the manufacturer's construction. Different types of steel and aluminium respond differently to heat, so procedures matter. We do not guess, and we will say if a repair is beyond what is sensible.

What affects the outcome

Access, the extent of the damage and the condition of the surrounding metal all matter. A weld is only as good as what it is joined to, so if the nearby metal is thin with rust, the repair has to extend further than it first looked.

The cost depends on how much needs to be cut out and replaced and how much finishing follows. We explain this at the estimate, and tell you if inspection uncovers more.

When not to proceed

Some cars are not sensible to repair. If the structure is so badly damaged that a repair would cost more than the car is worth, or cannot be made reliably safe, we will say so plainly.

Do not drive a car you suspect has structural damage or serious corrosion in load-bearing areas. Have it inspected first, and arrange recovery if necessary.