Bodyshop market falls

With 467 bodyshops taking part, the survey found that the market for body repairs had fallen in real terms for the fifth year since its peak in 2001. The 11 per cent decline means the market is heading towards its lowest value since 1987. The result has been a reduction in the amount of work required by insurance companies and accident management companies. In 1997, insurers and accident managers accounted for 84 per cent of the market value whereas in 2006 this had fallen to 76 per cent. Sewells said the 15 per cent drop in insurer and accident manager work since 2000 had been driven by the increase in the number of vehicles written off as residual values have fallen.