After a crash
How Long Will My Car Be at the Panel Beater? Realistic Timeframes
Average NZ repair timeframes for bumper, panel, structural and EV jobs — plus what causes delays.
8 April 2026 5 min read
Average timeframes
Minor scuff/dent: 2–4 working days.
Single-panel replacement and respray: 5–10 working days.
Multi-panel collision repair: 3–5 weeks.
Structural / chassis straightening: 4–8 weeks.
What causes delays
Parts on backorder from overseas (especially for EVs and European vehicles).
Hidden damage discovered once panels come off — common after side impacts.
Insurance assessor approval queues.
Paint colour matching for metallic / pearl finishes.