HGV and Lorry Bodywork Repairs: What Can Be Done

Cab damage

The cab is where the driver sits, so it matters most. Typical damage includes crumpled corners and steps, cracked or scraped panels, damaged doors and mirrors, and broken lamps or trim. Many cabs have large plastic or fibreglass components, such as bumpers, roof fairings and side skirts, which can be repaired in some cases and need replacing in others.

The key checks are whether the frame behind the damage is straight and whether the doors, windows and mirrors still work as they should. A cab that looks tidy but has a twisted frame is not a finished repair.

• Bumpers, steps and grilles take frequent knocks
• Roof fairings and side skirts are often plastic or composite
• Doors and mirrors must still close and give a proper view
• Frame alignment behind the damage should be checked

Body panels, boxes and rigid bodies

On rigid lorries and box bodies, the damage tends to be dented or split panels, torn sections, damaged rear doors and rubbed paint. Depending on the construction, panels may be aluminium, steel or composite, and each material is repaired differently.

Where a section is too damaged to rescue, replacement may be sensible. Whether either is practical depends on the body type, how it is fastened and whether parts can be obtained, so it has to be looked at in person. Fastenings, hinges and locks on rear doors are worth checking too, because a door that no longer seals can let water into the load area. On a vehicle that earns its keep every day, small faults like these tend to become big ones.

Curtainsiders and trailers

Curtainsided trailers have their own weak spots: torn or cut curtains, bent posts and runners, damaged rave rails, and sticking or broken fastenings. A bent post can stop a curtain tensioning properly, which matters for load security as much as appearance.

Trailer bodywork, such as corner posts, rear frames, side boards and doors, can be damaged by loading bays and tight yards. Anything affecting the structure, lighting or the way the trailer secures its load should be treated seriously and not left.

Assess first, promise later

Large-vehicle damage is often more than it appears. A dent in a cab corner might hide a bent bracket, and a trailer knock may be twisting a frame. That is why a decent garage will not give a firm answer over the phone and will want to see the vehicle first.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we carry out HGV and lorry bodywork repairs and commercial vehicle accident repairs. Whether a given job is something we can take on depends on the vehicle and the damage, so we assess it first and tell you plainly what is possible.

Information that helps at the first enquiry

A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Photos from several angles, the type and size of the vehicle, how the damage happened and whether the vehicle is still driveable all help to build a picture.

If the vehicle is not safe to drive, do not drive it just to get it to the garage. Consider whether it should be moved some other way, and say so when you call. Being open about the condition of the vehicle lets us give you sensible advice about next steps, and it keeps you and other road users safe.

• Clear photos of the damage from a few angles
• Make, model and type of body
• How the damage happened and whether the vehicle is driveable
• Any deadlines for getting it back into service

Frequently asked questions