Compare Ford Focus Panel beating job quotes from specialist garages

Ford was the first carmaker to introduce a vehicle assembly line, speeding up the process of production and bringing cars to more people than ever before. The brand's motorsport credentials are equally impressive. In the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Ford ended Ferrari's six-year winning streak, beating the likes of Porsche and Lamborghini to the title with an ever-popular GT40.

Jim Morrison, the lead singer of rock band The Doors, famously adored his 1967 Ford Shelby GT500, the only car he ever owned. It is a mystery to this day where the vehicle ended up after his death.

Find out the average price of a Ford service or MOT here, or read this guide to see how Ford's maintenance costs compare with Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Car panel beating is a traditional method of repairing panels using tools such as specialised hammers, dollies (metal forming tools), tin snips and body files. It involves removing, restoring and replacing damaged panels, spray painting, colour matching, chassis alignment and refitting hardware.

The main benefit of hiring a panel beater is that they are highly skilled and experienced and will do an excellent job restoring the area to its non-damaged state. Panel beating is usually cheaper than replacing the damaged panel with a new one, and good panel beaters can also add new features to panels upon request.

You shouldn't attempt to fix car panel damage because it's unlikely you'll have the skills to do a safe job, especially since a bad repair could lead to more problems and stress fractures. Instead, it's best to find expert local panel beaters, giving you peace of mind that the repair is safe.

Check out this guide to learn about different types of bodywork repairs.