After a shunt, the best panel beaters in Gisborne are the ones who handle the insurer, the parts and the paint match so you only have to drop the car off. These three cover collision and smash repair, spray painting, insurance work and fleet vehicles, with courtesy cars and guaranteed workmanship between them. Allan Kellett Panel and Paint and Gisborne Collision Centre are the two most established names in town.
1Gisborne Collision Centre
Gisborne Collision Centre is an auto body repair workshop on Awapuni Road, previously trading as DJ Mac Panel and Paint. Their site puts them at sixteen years in business, handling everything from significant framework damage down to a single dent, alongside commercial fleet work and caravan repairs. They deal with the insurer directly from quote through to payment, which makes them a straightforward choice if you would rather not be the go-between on a claim.
Services
- Accident and collision repairs, from structural framework damage to minor dents
- Auto paint and refinishing
- Insurance repair work
- Commercial and fleet body works
- Bumper repair, plastic welding and alloy wheel repair
Highlights
- Approved BYD repairer
- Insurance approved bodyshop that bills the insurer directly, so you are not out of pocket up front
- Courtesy car provided for the duration of the repair
- Heated downdraft spray booth, dedicated mixing room and vehicle colour scanning for exact shade matching
- Genuine OEM parts used so existing vehicle warranties are not affected
Location & Contact
Name: Gisborne Collision Centre
Address: 45 Awapuni Road, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 867 7816
Website: gisbornecollision.co.nz
2Allan Kellett Panel and Paint
Allan Kellett Panel and Paint is a panel beating and spray painting workshop on Disraeli Street, taking smash and crash repairs as well as vehicle upgrades. The team is fully qualified and repairs to the manufacturer’s standard rather than to whatever will pass visually, which matters on modern vehicles where panels are structural. They also arrange a rental car while yours is off the road.
Services
- Smash and crash repairs
- Panel beating
- Spray painting
- Vehicle upgrades and replacement parts
- Full vehicle maintenance service
Highlights
- Lifetime guarantee on all work for as long as the vehicle stays in your ownership
- Rental car arranged while your vehicle is being repaired
- Publishes a Quality Management Policy Statement, downloadable from their website
- Parts sourced to meet the vehicle manufacturer’s standards
- Free written quotes
Location & Contact
Name: Allan Kellett Panel and Paint
Address: 72 Disraeli Street, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 867 8088
Website: panelbeatersgisborne.co.nz
3Gisborne Motors
Gisborne Motors is the city’s Ford dealership on Grey Street and runs a dedicated bodyshop alongside its sales, service and parts departments. Their own site describes them as Gisborne’s longest running dealership, trading since 1917. The body repair department has its own direct line separate from mechanical servicing, and the team works with your insurance company on a claim.
Services
- Accident and collision repair through a dedicated body repair department
- Vehicle modifications
- Insurance claim repair work
Highlights
- Trading in Gisborne since 1917, the city’s longest running dealership
- Body repair runs as its own department with a direct contact line, separate from mechanical service
- Franchise dealership backing, so sales, parts, servicing and body repair sit under one roof
Location & Contact
Name: Gisborne Motors
Address: 75 Grey Street, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 867 6759
Website: gisborneford.co.nz
Panel Beaters in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Gisborne Collision Centre | Gisborne | Approved BYD repairer |
| Allan Kellett Panel and Paint | Gisborne | Lifetime guarantee on all work for as long as the vehicle stays in yo... |
| Gisborne Motors | Gisborne | Trading in Gisborne since 1917, the city's longest running dealership |
How to Choose the Right Panel Beater in Gisborne
- Check whether they are an insurance approved repairer, because approved shops bill the insurer directly and you avoid paying up front and claiming back.
- Ask how the paint is matched, since colour scanning and a dedicated mixing room produce a far better match than eyeballing a swatch, particularly on metallics.
- Confirm whether genuine manufacturer parts are used, as aftermarket panels can affect an existing vehicle warranty.
- Ask what you will drive in the meantime, because a courtesy car included in the repair is worth real money over a fortnight off the road.
- Get the guarantee in writing and check how long it runs, as cover varies from a fixed term to the life of your ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Panel Beaters
Can I choose my own panel beater, or must I use the insurer’s?
You can usually choose, though your policy may set conditions and using a non-approved repairer can mean paying the difference. Approved repairers have an agreed pricing arrangement with the insurer, which is why they can bill directly. Ask your insurer what changes if you nominate your own shop before you commit.
How long will the repair take?
A small dent or bumper scuff is often a couple of days. Structural repairs involving framework, or jobs waiting on parts, run to weeks. Paint needs curing time regardless of how fast the panel work goes, so ask for a realistic date and whether a courtesy car covers the whole period.
Will the new paint match the rest of the car?
It should. Modern shops scan the existing paint and mix to that reading rather than to the factory code, because paint fades with age and sun. Blending into adjacent panels is normal practice for a proper match, so do not be alarmed if the quote covers more area than the damage.
What happens if my car is written off?
The insurer pays out the agreed or market value instead of repairing it, which happens when repair costs approach the vehicle’s worth. If you disagree with the valuation you can dispute it, and free independent dispute resolution is available through the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman.
Does accident damage affect my warrant of fitness?
It can. Structural damage, poor repairs and anything affecting lights, glass or safety systems will fail an inspection, and significant structural repair may require certification before the vehicle is road legal again. The requirements are set by NZTA Waka Kotahi.
Should I get more than one quote?
For a private job, yes. For an insurance claim it is usually unnecessary, since the insurer assesses the damage themselves. Quotes should be free and in writing, and worth comparing on what is included rather than the headline figure alone.
Is a repair guaranteed?
Reputable shops guarantee their workmanship, and terms vary considerably. One Gisborne workshop backs its work for as long as you own the vehicle. Ask whether the guarantee covers the paint as well as the panel work, and whether it transfers if you sell the car.
Can they repair caravans, trailers and fleet vehicles?
Some do. At least one Gisborne workshop lists caravan repairs and commercial fleet body work alongside cars. Mention it when you call, since larger bodies need the space and equipment to handle them and not every shop is set up for it.
How We Chose the Best Panel Beaters in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for panel beaters in Gisborne, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.