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Vicki Butler-Henderson pops into Cooper Barnes

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:14:10 GMT

A rather famous RS4 needs some last minute attention prior to auction

It’s not every day you have two stars of TV rock up at your bodyshop, but that’s exactly what happened to us a few weeks ago.

It started with a call from Fifth Gear and The Car Girl’s Vicki Butler-Henderson, a presenter who has been at the forefront of motoring journalism and our screens for many years, known for her infectious enthusiasm, particularly when sideways with lots of horsepower under her foot.
Vicki needed a trim re-fitting on a car prior to auction and was in a bit of a hurry, not a problem.
But this was rather a well-known car, last seen encased in ice (no thanks to Richard Hammond,) on The Grand Tour’s Scandi Flick, the Audi RS4 being driven in the programme by a Mr J Clarkson Esq (not sure who he is.)
Hammond and May objected to the choice of vehicle, as the RS4 wasn’t a true “rally car” not being an original Quattro, unlike the pedigreed Subaru and Mitsubishi, but rather oddly this “technicality” was swiftly and loudly dismissed by the ever reasonable Clarkson.

Trim re-fitted to the stunning looking car and it headed off to auction with a very successful sale result.
If you want to watch the video of the RS4’s return to functional and road legal, click the link here and follow Vicki’s The Car Girl channel https://lnkd.in/et52WvcQ

So, w e had our very own star in a not so reasonably priced car!

Make sure you and your car are winter ready.

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:43:30 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

We jump in the car, turn the key or press the button, often with little thought of the road and journey ahead.

Monday to Friday, you switch the radio on, settle comfortably into autopilot and arrive at work, devoid of drama.

Occasionally you may have to de-mist the windscreen or chip some ice away, but in the UK we don’t suffer any real extremes, so it’s very much business as usual.

You expect your vehicle, this marvel of modern technology, to perform it’s duties without fuss or complaint, modern cars are after all are very reliable machines. But the roads you drive on and the seasonal changes can and will affect driving conditions, and it is worth taking note and preparing.

The nights are drawing in, mornings are darker and for some inexplicable reason, we still change time by an hour twice a year, so commuting will soon be plunged into inky blackness.

So now it’s dark, we have wet roads, often strewn with leaves, mud, grit and soon ice, salt and snow to contend with. Do you give any thought to your tyre health, are all your lights functioning, do your wipers clear the screen sufficiently, do you have appropriate clothing in the car.

Lets visit each of these elements, tyres first. Potholes are the curse of the road user and your tyres are taking the brunt of the councils lacklustre approach to repairs.

Is your steering wheel vibrating at a certain speed, or can you feel it through your seat? Does your steeling wheel sit a bit lop sided or is the car pulling to the left or right like a reveller navigating a walk home after a good night?

You may be suffering with uneven tyre wear and completely oblivious to it. Any change in driving operation should not be left unchecked

Lights are not just there to illuminate the road ahead, they also function to let other road users see you. How often have you passed or come up behind a driver with a failed light. A regular check and walk round of the car will ensure you can see and be seen.

The police will also be interested in defective tyres and lights, so don’t give them a reason to look at you longer than a cursory glance.

You generally only bemoan a defective wiper the moment it doesn’t work, the bottle runs out of water, or it creates that streak directly in your eyeline.

Have you noticed that wipers do that, they never fail in any other area, only in your direct line of vision. Personally I think they are designed like that, just to annoy us.

Keep your washer bottle topped up, you’re going to need it at this time of year, and if you notice your wipers giving out, change them straight away, they’re cheap and easy to fit.

Clothing & accessories may seem like an odd consideration, but if you break down, do you have warm clothing or a blanket, bottles of water, a torch, a power bank if the car can no longer charge your phone. This may seem excessive but missing simple items, can cause a massive headache and frustration in your moment of need.

I sincerely hope you have a completely uneventful, dare I say, dull driving season, but taking note of the above I hope means just that.

EV Winter Driving Tips

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:31:18 GMT

Temperature changes necessitate a change in driving style but also vehicle management.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Paintless Dent Repair

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:55:01 GMT

The mystical art!

Paintless Dent Repair or PDR, is a skill known to only a handful of automotive alchemists.

With their rods, mirrors, eyesight that makes a hawk's vision look like Eddie the Eagle and one of the steadiest hands in the industry, PDR technicians make bumps and dents vanish.

Traditional panel repair can be invasive and may include tack welding, pin pulling and the occasional hammer to beat a panel into submission. But if the dent is minor and the paint hasn't been broken, then a PDR is an excellent alternative.

By gently massaging and pushing the area with corrective rods, a good PDR technician can correct a panel in a relatively short space or time, and the affected area does not need to be re-painted. It also costs a lot less than traditional repair.

If you have a dent that needs rectifying, let us know and if we can carry out a PDR, then we absolutely will.

Insurance Steering

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:37:27 GMT

An insurer cannot restrict your free and independent choice of who estimates and repairs your car.

Steering

Sadly when it comes to insurance accident repair, you are not the only one steering your car.

Insurers are steering claims toward their own network of bodyshops. Why? Its sold under the wrapper of Customer Service, cost saving, streamlining and claims management, but in reality, it is far from that.

Scare tactics:

Customers are being told that by not using one of their “network repairers” it could invalidate warranties, void a guarantee, not cover all the repair costs or delay the authorisation and repair process. Some insurers are even putting a financial penalty with an additional excess for not following what they say.

This is blatant steering for the insurers benefit, carefully disguised as Customer Service

Customer Impact

Insurers negotiate cheaper labour rates and parts discounts with their network bodyshops, and this can create a subpar quality of repair. You wouldn’t go into the parachute shop and ask for the cheapest one, so why should you compromise in your vehicle repair.

You may wish to go to a Manufacturer Approved Repairer, one who has access to the latest repair methods, tooling, 100% genuine parts, issuing of repair certificates. But the insurers just see the bottom line, not the customer and repair quality.

What can you do?

It is your LEGAL RIGHT to choose who estimates and repairs your vehicle, despite the obstacles the insurer may put in your way. It’s your car, it’s your choice. If you want to use a bodyshop you know, have been recommended to or used before, why shouldn’t you. Your house insurance doesn’t mandate the roofer for tile repairs, so why should your car insurer?

Summary

Imagine going to a supermarket and them telling you that aisles 6-14 are not available to you, or the DIY store refusing to sell you any colour other than green, you’d tell them exactly what you think, and so you should.

You have far more rights than you are aware of, but your rarely friendly car insurer is never going to tell you what they are, at the risk of it costing them more money.

Question, challenge and chose, it’s your legal right.

Finalist Bodyshop Awards

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 07:34:26 GMT

Third consecutive year Cooper Barnes are in the final 4

For the third year in a row, Cooper Barnes have made the final four in the category of Medium Sized Bodyshop at the prestigious, annual Bodyshop Awards held in September in Birmingham.

The awards cover every aspect of the accident repair industry, from bodyshop through to equipment supply, training providers, paint manufacturers, tooling, vehicle manufacturers to name but a few. To be a finalist is a fantastic recognition, as it highlights that you are a market leader in your sector, providing the best service and quality in very hotly contested categories.

We were finalists in 2023 and took the top award home that year, being crowned the best medium sized bodyshop in the entire country. An achievement that made is immensely proud, cementing or belief of putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. We celebrated this award with the whole team, without who it wouldn't have been possible.

2024 saw us again in the final four in the country, but sadly lightning didn't strike twice. Will 2025 be our year to scoop the top prize again? Well, we will have to wait until the 21st September, for the awards night in Birmingham, but win or lose, already being in the top four in the country, is a feather in the cap we are very proud of.

Detailing a Dodge Charger

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:12:22 GMT

This was a big job as the restoration garage, had left the paintwork in a pretty shocking state.

Tesla Approved Repairer status for Cooper Barnes

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:04:57 GMT

What does Tesla Approval mean for you, the Tesla owner?

New Paragraph

It's all in the detail

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:21:05 GMT

Everything you ever wanted to know about detailing.

Detailing is like automotive alchemy. It enhances the appearance of your vehicle by correcting the surface of the paintwork, giving you that high gloss, new car look.

Detailing involves many stages, firstly the vehicle needs to have all containments removed, this will include iron wash and wheel acid on the wheels to remove brake dust deposits, tar and glue remover to remove tyre rubber spots and insect remover.

Once this stage had been completed, we then snow foam the whole car, this is a blanket of soapy foam which attaches itself to the dirt and when blasted off, takes it magically away.

Now the car is free of grip and elements that could scratch the paintwork, we then hand wash the car with a soft mitt using the two bucket method. This entails one bucket with with your soapy water and another with just water and a grit trap. When you rinse the mitt, you use the clean water and any particles that have attached them selves to the mitt fall below the grit trap and cannot get back onto the mitt. So when you rea soap the mitt, you can be sure it is grip free and ready to use again.

The car will then again be jetted with warm water and towel dried with a soft microfibre.

That's just the washing!

Now we move onto machine polishing. This involves using a rotary or dual action mechanical polisher which has a variety of sponge heads and compounds, all with different cutting properties (a bit like T-cut in the old days) Different pads introduce different levels of heat and cutting levels onto the paint work. A single stage machine polish is designed to reduce and remove swirl marks and light scratches, using a mid to hard cutting compound. For paintwork that needs further correction, a more abrasive cutting compound will be used initially, then reducing the cutting element for the second stage, enhancing the gloss and sheen of the paintwork. A third stage can sometimes be required, but this is purely a buffing stage to further enhance the sheen.

Once all the paint correction has been completed, it is advisable to protect the paintwork, plastics and glass with a ceramic coating. Ceramic is a hydrophobic liquid which adheres to the surface, creating a barrier to dirt and water, making the vehicle far easier to clean. In addition a ceramic coating provides a level of UV protection to reduce paint fade (you remember the salmon pink Vauxhalls of the 90's!)

Some ceramic coatings are impregnated with carbon or graphene, this provides a further layer of protection and makes the application much easier. The products often come with 3 or 5 year guarantees with yearly top-ups included.

If your paint is looking flat, tired or just dull, you want to reduce & remove swirl marks and you want a general enhancement, our detailing team are on hand to give your car the wow factor.

Call us on 01223 880603

Final four in Bodyshop of the year

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:41:59 GMT

After winning this category last year, could the team make it two years in a row?

September 2023 was a very exciting month for the team at Cooper Barnes. We left the National Bodyshop Awards in Birmingham clutching the award for Best Medium Sized Bodyshop in the whole country.

Fast forward to 2024 and we were again nominated. Having crossed everything last year, there was absolutely zero chance we were going to make the final two years in a row.

That's what we thought until we got the email to say "congratulations, you are finalists" What us, again, really?

The nomination last year felt like a win, as the awards are chosen by industry leaders and our piers, the actual win was the icing on the cake.

So why did we win? There are 7 category's to be graded on, the three most important are how we treat customers, how we treat staff and how we reduce our impact on the environment.

We have always understood the impact on the owner when a car becomes unavailable due to a fault or non fault accident. Everything you've planned for the immediate future halts. You can't just "pop" anywhere, can't do a big shop, pickup of drop off kids etc etc. It's hugely inconvenient. Until the insurer provides you with a courtesy car, or we supply one from our in house fleet, you're almost stranded. Whether you've been involved in a fault or non fault accident, your first call should be to someone who puts you and your car first, not the insurers bottom line. So a call to one of our team will take some of the stress away, as we offer free claims management and support throughout the process.

We understand the range of emotions you go through in the case of an accident, but our Bodyshop is here to help and get you back on the road asap.

Our team are critical to our success, we certainly wouldn't be in the position we are without them. We therefore offer market leading pay and conditions, a full range of support, be it work or private, social events and an open door management style.

Every department is unified on our mission to provide excellence in everything we do, and the family run ethos runs throughout the company.

Being green is hard in our industry, bodyshops and accident repair centres have often struggled to reduce or offset their carbon emissions. 2 years ago we appointed an energy reduction company, experienced in working within the bodyshop sector. They set us on a clear and achievable path to become Carbon Neutral / Net Zero in two years. From changing lighting systems, using greener suppliers, better recycling and being mindful of our own actions, I am delighted to say that we are now PAS2060 Carbon Neutral.

Will we win again this year, could lightning strike twice? Who knows, we will have to wait until the 19th of September to find out.

But the DJ's will once again be rolled out and hopefully the biscuits consumed over the past year will still allow the buttons to be done up!

Cooper Barnes win Medium Sized Bodyshop of the Year

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:12:12 GMT

Cooper Barnes Automotive are now double award winners

Thursday 28th September, Neil and Matt travelled to the Bodyshop Awards at the Hilton in Birmingham, and having been announced as finalists, they had no expectation of a win amongst the brightest and best in the industry. Just to be in the final four was a feather in the cap.

Dinner jackets on and a small libation for courage, saw them sit down with 600 of the great and good of the repair industry, for an evening of good company, food & drink in the care of super host David (Crofty) Croft, the voice of F1 for the modern generation.

As the awards were dished out to the recipients, the hard fought categories of best small / medium / large bodyshop loomed large on the horizon. Small bodyshop awarded, and it was now time for the family run company from Linton to hold their breath as the envelope was torn open to reveal which company had taken the prize for best medium bodyshop of the year.

Collective jaws hit the floor as Matt & Neil stared at each other in disbelief, did they said our name? Had they? "Matt, we've got to get up", as the pair staggered to their feet and walked with applause to the stage. It's at this point that the recollection becomes hazy, blinded by lights, fireworks (yes we had those) and Crofty thrusting his hand out in congratulations, the pair of deer in the headlights were presented with the award for Medium Bodyshop of the Year.

Awkward photo done and the journey back to their seats took a lot longer as many hands of congratulations needed to be shaken.

Libation number 2 to steady the nerves and the reality of being award winners was starting to sink in. Kind and friendly people sought the winners out to offer congratulations and much back slapping was received.

Neil said post win that the award reflected the work of the entire team, as the award could not have been won with out their dedication, hard work and support.

So you could get your car repaired by just any old bodyshop, or you could come to your local, family run, award winning bodyshop in Linton.

Could lightning strike twice for Cooper Barnes?

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:52:23 GMT

Award season for the Bodyshop Industry

Back in October last year, Cooper Barnes were lucky enough to be awarded Small Business of the Year in the Cambridgeshire Live Business Awards. This accolade was awarded for not only business ethos but a drive to provide outstanding customer service in a very challenging sector.

Now Cooper Barnes again have an award knocking on the door, as they have been named as a finalist at the Bodyshop Awards, in the category of medium sized bodyshop. They are in the final 4 out of hundreds of entries and feel like they have already won, as they are up against some serious competition and heavy hitting multi-nationals.

A glitzy black tie event at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham awaits them on the 28th September, where they learn who has won this most hard fought category.

Could Cooper Barnes take the prize again? Certainly everything is crossed as they strive to bring the award home.

Courtesy cars

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 11:12:55 GMT

Insurers are saying they don't have any

Is there a national shortage of courtesy cars? Yes, but there is a solution.

The perfect storm of Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine has turned the market upside down. From reduced production, loss of factories, limited resources and border issues, car parts have been hard to source, for new and existing. The 2nd had car market has seen an unprecedented upturn in value and demands on stock. All this has had a huge impact on the courtesy and hire market. With less vehicles in production, rental companies and leasers are having to hold onto vehicles for longer, whilst demand continues to rise.

Bodyshops want to be busy, the more cars they repair, the more money they make, but this can have a detrimental effect on the customer. By overloading the diary, all you achieve is having to disappoint your customer as repairs times increase and the inevitable demand on courtesy vehicles and keeping the customer moving is harder to manage.

Insurers are telling their customers that they don't have courtesy vehicles or that a replacement vehicle is not included on their policy.

This is why at Cooper Barnes, the award winning bodyshop in Linton, we manage our diary and don't overload ourselves with work. If your insurer can't or won't provide you with a courtesy vehicle whilst yours in is for bodywork, or accident damage repair, we will always try and keep you moving with our fleet of courtesy vehicles.

We understand how frustrating it is to be without your car, so we will always do our best to keep you mobile until we can reunite you with your repaired vehicle.

Cooper Barnes Automotive, putting you first, not the insurers bottom line.

It's YOUR car it's YOUR choice

Fri, 12 May 2023 08:19:45 GMT

You choose where you vehicle is estimated and repaired

Is your insurer trying to increase your excess for choosing your own repairer?

Below are short answers, but for a more in depth explanation which you are free to copy and paste into an email / letter, see the appendix numbered 1-9 at the bottom.

1. Can I choose my own repairer?

Yes, it is your legal right to select a repairer of your own choice.

You cannot be steered, forced or have your free and independent choice restricted.

2. What happens if my insurer argues my chosen repairer maybe more expensive than their nominated repairer?

Doesn’t matter, you have legal recourse to challenge

3. Can I complain about the increased excess?

Yes, under consumer law, barriers and restrictions cannot be put in place to limit your entitlement to claim from a contract. You can complain to the FOS

4. What are an unfair terms and condition in a contract?

The unfair terms in consumer contracts regulations in 1999 ( The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (legislation.gov.uk) ) laid out what was deemed to be unfair in a contract, it states.

Effect of unfair term

· 8.-(1) An unfair term in a contract concluded with a consumer by a seller or supplier shall not be binding on the consumer.

· 8.-(2) The contract shall continue to bind the parties if it is capable of continuing in existence without the unfair term.

5. What does this mean to me?

As a customer, when an insurer adviser’s that an increase excess is applicable if you choose your own repairer, it may be this breaches the above statutory law, which is also part of the Financial Conduct Authority Regulations by which they must abide.

6. This is all well and good, but how do I use the above and not pay the additional excess?

There is no guarantee the additional excess will be waived but here are a number of approaches to take. Insurers don’t like problems, they are less likely to attempt to uphold something deemed to be a questionable practice.

7. How to complain effectively

Every time you complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) The financial institution will be contacted by the FOS and will be asked to provide them all the information around the complaint. The insurer will also be charged for reviewing the complaint.

8. Keep complaining!

Raise the first complaint above, the raise a second complaint advising that it has been mis-sold and does not fulfil your “demands and needs”.

9. Asking for Cash In Lieu settlement. (we don’t recommend this).

Insurers advise that they have three ways of fulfilling their contract.

· The authorise repairs.

· They deal with a claim on a total loss basis.

· Provide a cash in lieu settlement

Appendix:

1. This is covered under the following acts and laws.

· Consumer rights directive 1993 where the Office of fair trade, The A.B.I. and what was the Financial Service authority now the FCA agreed “In the consumers right of choice”.

· Consumer rights act 2015.

· Consumer protection for unfair trading act 2008 Application part 8 of the Enterprise act for unfair trading regulations 2008 Motor vehicle Block exemption regulations EC1400/2002 Competition act 1998.

· 2015 Insurance Act also stipulates prior to a contract occurring the insurer has to make the insured aware that the contract fulfils the demands and needs of the consumer, and any adverse term or condition is brought to the attention of the consumer. This should have no material detriment to the consumer. To advise before the contract has been made any restrictions in the consumers choice, or advise that you seek to reduce your contractual liabilities is a breach of the act.

· It has been proven in law “Coles vs Hetherton”

Coles vs Hetherton considered 3 points

· What is the proper measure of loss for damage to a chattel?

· Does it make a difference if the repair is organized by an insurer, as opposed to the Claimant himself?

· If an insurer indemnifies an insured in respect of repairs (which, as in this case, may include sundry incidental or administrative expenses) is the total amount recoverable, provided it is still reasonable?

All three points were argued successfully.

On the first, and main, issue, the Court of Appeal found that the proper measure of loss was the diminution in the value of the damaged chattel. That loss occurred immediately at the time of the accident so could not be mitigated by having the chattel repaired at a lower cost. Provided the claimed cost of repair was not unreasonable therefore, it was recoverable. Further, it made no difference that the Claimants were backed by insurers. The reasonable cost of repair was the cost the Claimant could have obtained on the open market: it did not matter that his insurer might have been able to obtain a better rate through its industry connections. Equally, provided the final amount claimed was reasonable, it could be recovered even if it did include sundry additional expenses.

· 5.-(1) A contractual term which has not been individually negotiated shall be regarded as unfair if, contrary to the requirement of good faith, it causes a significant imbalance in the parties’ rights and obligations arising under the contract, to the detriment of the consumer.

The FCA, Financial Ombudsman, Consumer Protection Law, Consumer Contract Regulations, Financial Services Authority, Consumer Rights Directive and the Insurance Act, can and will uphold your right to legal challenge.

· 5. –(2) A term shall always be regarded as not have been individually negotiated where it has been drafted in advance and the consumer has therefore not been able to influence the substance of the term.

· 5.-(3) Notwithstanding that a specific term or certina aspects of it in a contract has been individually negotiated, these regulations shall apply to the rest of a contract if an overall assessment of it indicates that it is a pre-formulated standard contract.

· 5.-(4) It shall be for any seller or supplier who claims that a term was individually negotiated to show that it was.

· 6.-(5) Schedule 2 of these regulations contains an indicative and non-exhaustive list of the terms which may be regarded as unfair

There is also a section under the FCA regulations on “treating customers fairly (TCF)”.

There are six consumer outcomes that firms should strive to achieve to ensure fair treatment of customers. These remain core to what we expect of firms. ( Fair treatment of customers (fca.org.uk) )

Outcome 1: Consumers can be confident they are dealing with firms where the fair treatment of customers is central to the corporate culture.
Outcome 2: Products and services marketed and sold in the retail market are designed to meet the needs of identified consumer groups and are targeted accordingly.
Outcome 3: Consumers are provided with clear information and are kept appropriately informed before, during and after the point of sale.
Outcome 4: Where consumers receive advice, the advice is suitable and takes account of their circumstances.
Outcome 5: Consumers are provided with products that perform as firms have led them to expect, and the associated service is of an acceptable standard and as they have been led to expect.
Outcome 6: Consumers do not face unreasonable post-sale barriers imposed by firms to change product, switch provider, submit a claim or make a complaint.

There is also another section under the FCA regulations called The Responsibilities of Providers and Distributors for the Fair Treatment of Customers (RPPD)

The Principles apply to all authorised firms. This Guide looks particularly to the following Principles

· Principle 2 ('A firm must conduct its business with due skill, care and diligence')

· Principle 3 ('A firm must take reasonable care to organise and control its affairs responsibly and effectively, with adequate risk management systems')

· Principle 6 ('A firm must pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly')

· Principle 7 ('A firm must pay due regard to the information needs of its clients, and communicate information to them in a way which is clear, fair and not misleading').

· Complain to the insurer

· Ask For a “cash in lieu settlement at the full evidence cost of repair (we wouldn’t recommend this opinion as further damage maybe found once the vehicle is stripped).

The insurer (should it not resolve the complaint) gets charged by the FOS to review the complaint and this charge is often greater than the additional excess they are trying to apply, so it would be in their financial interest to ‘wave’ the additional excess

This is great leverage. Phone the FOS and log a complaint with them, they will then give you a reference number. You then use this in correspondence later by email. A

After doing this phone or email the insurer and advise them you wish to raise a “chief executive complaint” and that you are expressing dissatisfaction.

When asked what your complaint is respond:

I wish to raise a complaint about the inclusion of an increased excess on my policy should I wish to use my own repairer. I understand this to be a breach of the “Unfair term in a consumer contract regulations 1999 which is now Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act (the Act) 2015 will replace UCTA (to the extent that it relates to business to consumer contracts) and the UTCCRs (in their entirety) respectively.

This being that these terms of an increased excess and restrictions to the amount you pay for repair are

· In a pre-drafted contract

· The contract has not been individually negotiated

· Has a significant imbalance that will cause financial detriment

· Breaches section 8 of the Enterprise act 2000

· Breaches UNFCOG of the Financial Service and Markets act 2000

I also believe this to be a restrictive practice under “The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (the CPRs) implement the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. They introduce a general prohibition against unfair commercial practices, specific prohibitions against misleading and aggressive practices and a blacklist of 31 practices that will be deemed unfair in all circumstances.”

The contract I have entered Into, I believed would not breach my consumer rights of choice of repairer, would not put restrictions or barriers in place that would prevent me from doing so and would indemnify my Full financial loss.

Do the above, and you may well find the insurer ‘waives’ the excess as a gesture of good will and on a “one of basis”.

“Demands and needs” are what you require from the contract, as of 2015 with the insurance act, it is the insurer’s responsibility to ensure that the contract you have purchased, fulfils what you require of it. I.e if you wanted to use your own repairer without being penalised, then unless these “unfair terms” Were brought to your attention prior to purchasing, it could well have been mis-sold.

The insurer under threat of being billed by the FOS may soon change their mind if everyone does this.

These are the only ways an insurer can oblige its contract.

Should a insurer not authorise repairs are your choice of repairer, they will try and palm you off with a lower settlement that that to which you are entitled too.

Before asking for a CASH IN LIEU settlement, you need to evidence what it WILL cost to repair your car. To do this, your repairer working for you will need to carry out a “BLUEPRINT OF REPAIR” ,I.e. a fully detailed proforma identifying the cost to put the vehicle to its pre-accident state.

I would then also suggest having the car inspected by a “qualified independent engineer” they should not negotiate on your behalf but should check the methodology of repair.

This now makes it very hard for an insurer to short change you. As they are now providing a Cash In Lieu settlement, they cannot charge the additional excess, as they are not authorising your repairer directly, buy paying you the cost of repair.

This is beneficial on higher value vehicles with high excess that may get doubled.

Pothole damage

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 08:51:10 GMT

What should you do, can you claim?

We've all hit a pothole, some of us have been unlucky enough to sustain damage to our vehicle.

If you have hit a pothole, the below article from The AA, gives you a very handy, step by step guide on what to do and advice on whether you can claim for damage sustained.

https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/pothole-damage-how-to-claim?fbclid=IwAR0ZHyhqYnCKRIEcdsl1SdljAuEzD332RRUXgoGARy42efUMtdQf9cxL6VE#:~:text=You%20might%20be%20able%20to%20claim%20compensation%20from%20the%20council,your%20quotes%2C%20invoices%20and%20receipts

If you have hit a pothole and you notice ANY change in the way your vehicle handles or drives, you must have it checked by your garage to ensure no damage has been sustained that could affect your or others safety.

Why are genuine parts the best parts

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:54:25 GMT

Parts come in all shapes and sizes and importantly - quality

Whether through an accident or general wear and tear, it’s likely you’ll need spare parts for your car at some point during your ownership. Modern cars can easily have in excess of 12,000 individual components, are many are manufacturer or group specific.

There are several types of part available and below is some insight on the differences.

OEM / genuine
Aftermarket / pattern
Green / recycled

what is an OEM / genuine part?

OEM stands for ‘Original Equipment Manufacturer’, meaning that these parts are officially produced by the vehicle maker. As they’re backed by the car manufacturer, they are specifically designed to be fitted at original build point and as replacement parts for the vehicle .

Pro's & Con's

These are manufacturer created parts, made to extremely tight tolerances, using the best materials and rigorous quality control.

This means that they will fit, work and were designed to fit perfectly on your vehicle, whether component or panel.

You do pay a small premium but I always think of it like butter vs spread. They look the same, perform the same function but toast is always better with butter.

what is an aftermarket / pattern part?

An aftermarket part is manufactured by a 3rd party, outside the control of the manufacturer.

Pro's & Con's

After market & Pattern parts are usually less expensive than OEM / genuine but often that's where the benefits stop.

They are usually a pattern or copy of the original and in the case of safety critical we certainly wouldn't recommend using them. Saying that, there are a lot of aftermarket parts you can use. From personal experience replacing a headlamp, I used a pattern one, the only difference when I compared them side by side was one of them had a VW stamp (and therefore a premium) and the other didn't. But apart from that they were identical in every way, as the particular manufacturer made lamps for VW.

But it is always worth checking.

Panels historically don't fit very well and tend to be not as well made.

what is a green / recycled part

Unfortunately the waters have been muddied by "greenwashing" and green & recycled parts are very different.

A true green part should be sourced, manufactured and shipped being as close to carbon neutral or net zero as possible, and the companies involved must have very good and demonstrable green credentials.

A recycled part is either b stock from a manufacturer and may have been repaired or more than likely taken off a scrapped car.

Pro's & Con's

Green and recycled parts can often be cheaper and can tick the environmentally friendly option. But with recycled parts, these are often off damaged or scrapped vehicles, could have been subject to a previous repair and could be a different colour to what you require.

Bodyshops are generally unwilling to fit or spray recycled parts as their history is unknown and generally don't fit very well.

Manufacturer Approved Bodyshop

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Wed, 18 May 2022 09:04:06 GMT

What are the benefits of using a manufacturer approved bodyshop?

We will only use genuine manufacturer parts
Work is carried out to exacting manufacturer methods
Our work will not affect your warranty.
We use manufacturer approved paint.
Our staff are trained to factory standards and receive regular ongoing training.
The repair work is guaranteed.

It's not easy to gain manufacturer approval, as repairers we must not only uphold the manufacturer’s repair standards, but also provide the same high standards of customer service.

Worth the wait?

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:23:55 GMT

Customer waiting times to hit 3 months

There seems to be a perfect storm brewing and ultimately it will be the customer that takes the brunt.

Bodyshops are struggling, with over 100,000 vehicles in the UK currently requiring repair, plus the daily increase, demand is outstripping supply and man hours. It is predicted that within the industry, the waiting time will soon hit 3 months before a car is booked in, and if you want a courtesy vehicle, the wait could be even longer with rental companies having their fleet booked out and desperate to source vehicles, plus keeping the existing fleet far longer than the normally do.

So what has caused all these elements to collide at the same time?

Market demand
Shortage of rental / courtesy vehicles
Shortage of skilled technicians
Parts delays
Lack of stock
Global issues

So taking the above one by one, people have accidents, it's why we exist and just because demand is at unpresented levels, doesn't mean that people stop having prangs. The issue is just being compounded.

Rental companies on average keep their vehicles a year before trading them in, but such is the demand they are not only at capacity with current fleet, they are unable to source more or the prices to replace have been driven up so far as to make replacement not cost effective.

Good panel beaters, paint sprayers and fitters are like honest politicians, very very rare indeed. We are luck to have a superb team of highly skilled and dedicated technicians. But could I employ 4 more tomorrow? Yes, but we just can't find them.

Parts are the Achilles heel of our industry, some parts are so far behind on back order, there is no expected date. What's the knock on effect; having to tell the customer there could be a 6 weeks delay that's out of our hands and that they need the courtesy vehicle for longer. Here is the knock on affect.

It is no secret that UK and European stock of parts is dwindling. Even the most basic components are hard to source. Chips in particular are causing major issues as there simply not enough in the world, vehicle manufacturers are crying out to finish new cars but cant, and the poor old repair industry looking to source replacement parts with chips in them are even further down the list.

Global issues, where do we start. Already fuel prices are at previously unseen levels and a trip to the pump now takes a deep breath and a dollop of bravery. However, as the Russian aggression impacts the lives of the people of the Ukraine, aside from the humanitarian sacrifice, the knock on effect of global product supply is far from being realised. So many raw materials are produced and sourced from Russia, then filtered down to be processed in Eastern Europe before being shipped out into the market. The supply chain will slowly grind to a temporary halt, before other countries with the applicable natural / raw materials can take up production. This will increase costs and demand will increase as there will be a mountain of backorders to fulfil.

The accident repair industry, and us in particular in Linton will do our best to minimise your downtime and keep you mobile, but if we tell you there is a delay in booking you in, or a shortage of parts, you may not be pleased, but at least you know why.

Another Well Done to Us

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 10:08:29 GMT

5 Stars to Emma for maintaining our customer service levels

This is the second thank you letter / card we have received in a week, and once again singling out Emma, who runs our reception and runs all our systems. She is also the friendly voice you hear when you call us.

The customer service is as important as the repair to your vehicle

Using a bodyshop is a distressed purchase, nobody wants to be here, and not having your car for the repair period is like cutting your finger. You suddenly realise how much you take it for granted and it limits your ability to carry out even the most basic of functions.

So having a company that understands just the affect this has on your life is paramount, Cooper Barnes in Linton will always do their best to keep you mobile but most importantly, informed, so you know what stage we are at and the expected return date of your vehicle.

As our recent letters of appreciation show, we aim to make the repair process as simple and straightforward as we can, with minimal disruption.

Well done Emma

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 10:34:05 GMT

Customer Service and the extra mile

If you've ever called us, you will have probably spoken to Emma.

She is your first point of contact, our diary queen, systems guru, chaser of repair progress and so much more.

Her diligence and outstanding customer service were rewarded by a very grateful customer today with choccies and flowers.

Well done Emma!

Oh and she just loves having her photo taken!! (sorry Em)

Hyundai Repair Approval

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 10:37:32 GMT

Cooper Barnes are now an Authorised Body Repair Centre for Hyundai in conjunction with John Banks Group

Developing our long standing partnership with the John Banks Group, we are delighted to have received Hyundai approval and are now able to support Hyundai drivers and John Banks with marque approved body repairs.

Working from our base in Linton (just outside Cambridge) our manufacturer approval now stands at 10 and we hope to expand this further in the New Year.

Why does manufacturer approval matter?

This means we repair to manufacturer standards, we have also been audited to ensure our policies and procedures are to the required and exacting standards. This also means that once our work is completed, your warranty will be unaffected.

We are still able to work on vehicles from other manufacturers, again to their standards, using genuine parts and the correct methodologies.

Cooper Barnes (Linton) are an insurance approved body repair centre, providing accident repair, crash damage repair, garage services, regular servicing, MOT's, Air Con servicing, tyres, vehicle tracking alongside standard mechanical services and all aspects of vehicle body repair.

We can also assist with you vehicle insurance claim, especially if it is non fault. Speak to us to find out how we can manage your claim for you, before you speak to your insurer.

Cooper Barnes are on the Xbox

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 12:05:20 GMT

Wreck Fest is sporting some rather fine livery

We've made it onto the Xbox!
This is our senior workshop tech Ian's car, in a garage on a game called Wreck Fest
.A fan has replicated the car and livery and now races as Ian, who incidentally is a former World of Shale World Champion, so clearly a wise choice
.We're a bit chuffed, as is Ian. As long as the gamer looks after it!

Who knows where our digital presence will go to next

COVID Policy Update

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:56:54 GMT

Keeping our staff and customers safe

In line with revised Government Guidelines following the latest outbreak / variant, we have re-introduced the following procedures.

1. All visitors to Cooper Barnes must wear a mask

2. Please use the hand sanitisation points provided

3. Vehicles dropped off or collected will be anti-bacced on all contact points

4. Keys will be anti-bacced before being picked up or passed

We want to keep ourselves and our customers safe, please help us achieve this by adhering to the above; and we appreciate your understanding.

To learn more about our COVID safe practices, please contact a member of our management team.

STOP! Can you?

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 11:51:53 GMT

It takes a whole lot longer to stop in snow and ice

The road conditions are changing in Linton & Cambridge on an almost daily basis and that means that driving styles have to be adjusted and more care is needed to be taken on the roads.

Snow and ice in particular, are responsible for the majority of accidents as road conditions deteriorate, and as the above diagram shows, the stopping distances increase massively. We all know to take more care and drive slower, but it's easy to forget just how much more distance it takes to bring your vehicle to a controlled and safe stop.

We see an increase in accidents and repairs at our bodyshop in Linton at this time of year, as road conditions can catch people out.

Vehicle repair centres and bodyshops are always busy, but seasonal demand can increase waiting times to have your vehicle repaired following an accident.

There is ice on the windscreen in the morning now, which means that tricky driving conditions are round the corner. Reduce your chances of having an accident by driving according to the road conditions, and if in doubt, slow down.

If the unfortunate does happen and you are involved in an accident, call Cooper Barnes and we can assist in managing your claim, getting your car booked into our bodyshop in Linton and getting you back out on the road as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Charity Car Wash

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 15:11:35 GMT

Cooper Barnes, raising money for three local charities

On the 21st November, the team at Cooper Barnes will be washing cars in aid of three local charities in the Linton area.

These are Little Hands Playgroup, Chestnut Playgroup and Friends of Linton Village College.

There will be refreshments on site, including bacon rolls tea / coffee and a selection of cakes, the latter kindly donated by Gemma at The Linton Kitchen and additional support from Chris at Wylde Sky Brewery.

The car washing will be charged at £10 per car, very reasonable for a professional wash with premium products.

Please bring your car over to Cooper Barnes between 10am - 2pm and help us raise money for these 3 very deserving charities.

Pothole 1 - Car 0

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 15:08:06 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Pothole 1 - Car 0

A hidden pothole is the reason this vehicle is having most of it's arms, suspension and shock changed.

The commute is getting darker, the road surfaces are changing and it's pothole season, and they'll only get bigger!

If you are unfortunate enough to hit a pothole, hopefully it won't be as serious as this, but your tracking or if you have lost a wheel weight, the balance could have been affected. If you feel the car driving differently or pulling, contact us straight away and we can check the vehicle over for you.

Mitsubishi audit passed

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 13:58:10 GMT

Occasionally we are allowed to blow our own trumpet.

We are proud to have passed the latest Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturers Audit, as below:

"Thank you for your time when we visited.

We are pleased to advise that Cooper Barnes Automotive has passed the Mitsubishi assessment.

Your nominating dealer (EMG Mitsubishi Cambridge) and the vehicle manufacturer (Mitsubishi) will be advised of your status accordingly."

Cooper Barnes, maintaining manufacturer standards in body repairs.

New EU compliant plates for driving in Europe

neil@cooperbarnes.co.uk — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:48:29 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

"From 28 September 2021, you need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker.

If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), you do not need a UK sticker.

However, you will need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following:

a GB identifier with the Union flag

a Euro symbol

a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales

numbers and letters only – no flag or identifier

If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.

You do not need a UK sticker or number plate to drive in Ireland."

At Cooper Barnes we have the new compliant UK foils in stock and can create a front and rear set for £30 plus VAT.

Please contact us if you would like a new set of plates to keep you legal and compliant for driving in Europe.

We also have the new UK oval stickers at £2.50 plus VAT

Is your vehicle ready for the seasonal change?

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:53:47 GMT

Wet roads, misty and dark mornings, leaves, more traffic and returning to work, all things to be aware of

We have had a seasonal shift, moisture & condensation on your windscreen, heater on in the car and despite an apparent shortage of petrol, the commuter level has gone through the roof.

The roads are getting wet, greasy, leaf strewn and the light has changed. All these things can cause hazardous driving conditions.

Make sure your car is safe and prepared for these changing driving conditions.

Copper Barnes in Linton can perform seasonal checks on your vehicle, including visual checks on your windscreen, lights, tyres, wipers and anti-freeze levels, for just £20 inc VAT (consumables and additional labour chargeable)

What better time to check that your car is prepared and safe for the changing conditions.

Cooper Barnes in Linton is a bodyshop and full service garage, serving the Lindon and Cambridge areas