Stop Searching. Start Choosing.
Top5.nz

Best Panel Beaters in Napier and Hastings

We assessed 21 panel beaters in Napier and Hastings and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 684 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 15 July 2026. How we rank →

lightbulb

Before you hire

Panel repair quality is hard to judge until months later when paint fails or rust appears. Ask whether they use genuine or aftermarket parts, what paint system they use, and what warranty they offer on the repair. If going through insurance, confirm they are an approved repairer.

Top 5 Panel Beaters in Napier and Hastings

The top 5 panel beaters in Napier and Hastings are First Autoworks & RV, Kawan Collision Repair, A & M Panel Repairs, Napier Collision Repair Centre, and City Collision Repairs, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you book.

  • 1

    First Autoworks & RV 2022LTD

    4.8 145 reviews Top5 Score 159
    5★ 131 4★ 8 2★ 1 1★ 5

    First Autoworks & RV 2022LTD gets travellers back on the road fast, regularly fitting in unplanned jobs the same day they arrive. When costs come in under expectations, the team flags it rather than quietly charging the original estimate.

    Reviews most often describe: Motorhome and campervan owners needing urgent fixes

    • Same-day repairs without appointments
    • Explains costs before starting work
    • Fixes priced below initial expectation

    location_on 6 Taradale Road, Marewa, Napier

  • 2

    Kawan Collision Repair

    4.8 89 reviews Top5 Score 154
    5★ 75 4★ 10 3★ 2 2★ 2

    Kawan Collision Repair walks clients through every step of an insurance repair, with timelines that match what they actually quote. Vehicles come back fully cleaned and valeted, which multiple clients have called out as an unexpected finish to the job.

    Reviews most often describe: Insurance repairs and dent work needing clear guidance

    • Loan cars available on-site
    • Vehicles returned fully cleaned
    • Accurate repair timeframes quoted

    location_on 110 Alexandra Crescent, Mayfair, Hastings

  • 3

    A & M Panel Repairs 2004

    4.8 85 reviews Top5 Score 153
    5★ 74 4★ 8 3★ 1 1★ 2

    A & M Panel Repairs 2004 keeps clients informed at each stage of the repair, which matters when you are relying on your vehicle to live or travel. Staff have coordinated repairs for people calling from the South Island and arranged courtesy cars so clients are not left stranded while work is completed.

    Reviews most often describe: Campervan and car crash repairs with tight timelines

    • Courtesy car provided
    • Returns cars cleaned inside
    • Chases insurance and at-fault parties

    location_on 11 Thames Street, Pandora, Napier

  • 4

    Napier Collision Repair Centre

    4.6 100 reviews Top5 Score 151
    5★ 74 4★ 17 3★ 2 2★ 4 1★ 3

    Napier Collision Repair Centre gets your vehicle back within the timeframe quoted, which matters when you are without a car. Staff communication through the repair process matches the standard of the work itself.

    Reviews most often describe: Drivers who need repairs done on time

    • Repairs completed on quoted timeline
    • Upfront service communication
    • First-rate customer treatment

    location_on 56 Thames Street, Pandora, Napier

  • 5

    City Collision Repairs

    4.7 60 reviews Top5 Score 147
    5★ 48 4★ 7 3★ 3 2★ 1 1★ 1

    City Collision Repairs turns around panel work ahead of schedule, with quotes that hold firm to the final price. Chris and the team have handled everything from everyday smashes to specialist EV repairs, sorting a Tesla issue on-site that would otherwise have required a trip to Wellington.

    Reviews most often describe: Car owners wanting on-time repairs and transparent quotes

    • Quotes match final invoice
    • Completed before quoted timeframe
    • Handles specialist EV panel repairs

    location_on 31 Leyland Street, Onekawa, Napier

Before you book a panel beater in Napier and Hastings

Drawn from 147 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What does panel beating typically cost in New Zealand? expand_more

Minor dent and scratch repairs in New Zealand sit between $150 and $500 for straightforward work. Bumper repairs and moderate single-panel damage commonly fall in the $500 to $2,000 range. Structural or multi-panel repairs can push past $5,000, and a full respray runs $3,000 to $8,000 or more depending on vehicle size. Labour rates across NZ shops run $80 to $130 per hour, with Napier and Hastings sitting at the mid-range of that scale.

Does my insurer have to use their preferred panel beater, or can I choose my own? expand_more

Your insurer can recommend a preferred repairer but cannot legally force you to use one under New Zealand consumer law. Choosing your own repairer is your right, though if their quote exceeds what your insurer will pay, you cover the difference out of pocket. Some policies also limit or remove the insurer's repair warranty if you go outside their network, so read your policy wording before lodging a claim. If you feel pressured into using a specific shop against your wishes, the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman offers a free dispute resolution service.

Will my car be repaired with genuine parts, or non-genuine substitutes? expand_more

New Zealand insurance policies legally allow the use of aftermarket or non-genuine parts unless your specific policy guarantees OEM components, so you should check your wording before repairs begin. Aftermarket parts are cheaper and widely used, but fit and safety tolerances can vary, and some parts may not align as precisely as manufacturer originals. Ask the repairer in writing what parts will be used, and if you want genuine parts, request them early because you will likely need to pay any cost difference yourself.

What are the warning signs of a panel beater you shouldn't use? expand_more
  • Vague initial assessment with no written breakdown of all damage found before work begins
  • Charging upfront for inspections or quotes without a clear, itemised outcome delivered on time
  • Failing to contact you during delays, or giving repeated promises of a callback that never comes
  • Billing for work they later admit they were never qualified or equipped to carry out
  • Returning a vehicle without resolving the original fault, then requiring a second visit to fix the same problem
  • No clear process for handling additional damage discovered once panels are removed
What should you ask before approving panel beating work? expand_more
  • Ask whether they will deal directly with your insurer and handle all claim paperwork on your behalf
  • Confirm in writing how they handle hidden damage found mid-repair, including who approves any cost increase before work continues
  • Get a realistic completion timeframe and ask specifically how they will notify you if that date changes
  • Ask whether paint matching is guaranteed and what remedy they offer if colour is visibly different in daylight
  • Confirm whether a courtesy or loan vehicle is available and what it costs, if anything
  • Ask what their process is if you are not satisfied with the finished result, including whether they offer a workmanship warranty

Panel Beaters ranked 6 to 10 in Napier and Hastings

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    Hawke's Bay Collision Repair

    4.6 64 reviews Top5 Score 144
    5★ 50 4★ 8 3★ 1 2★ 2 1★ 3

    Hawke's Bay Collision Repair gets vehicles back with panel gaps and paint matched to a standard some owners say exceeded the original factory finish. Andrew and the office team walk clients through the repair process with transparent quotes and progress updates, so there are no surprises at pickup.

    Reviews most often describe: Collision repairs needing accurate paint match and fit

    • Paint matched beyond factory standard
    • No hidden costs on quotes
    • Car returned cleaned inside and out

    location_on 307 Eastbourne Street West, St Leonards, Hastings

  • 7

    Sun City Car Painters

    4.9 33 reviews Top5 Score 142
    5★ 30 4★ 3

    Sun City Car Painters returns vehicles on time, on budget, and cleaned inside and out, which is a rare combination in panel repair. Loan cars come with a full tank, and the team has handled drives of at least an hour and a half each way for clients who needed that coverage.

    Reviews most often describe: Panel repairs where budget and deadline matter

    • Loan car included with repairs
    • Car returned cleaned inside and out
    • Transparent pricing from first contact

    location_on 300 Jervois Street, Mayfair, Hastings

  • 8

    Endless Panel Repairs

    4.7 43 reviews Top5 Score 142
    5★ 36 4★ 4 3★ 2 1★ 1

    Endless Panel Repairs gets people through the door for the first time and sends them away happy enough to book again, including for paint and bumper work. Shane keeps clients informed on progress and prices the work at a level that surprises people used to being stung elsewhere.

    Reviews most often describe: First-timers needing affordable bumper and paint repairs

    • Bumper replacements done cheap
    • Paint finish described as flawless
    • Progress updates during repairs

    location_on 701 Hastings Street North, Mayfair, Hastings

  • 9

    KPM Automotive

    4.7 47 reviews Top5 Score 142
    5★ 40 4★ 5 1★ 2

    KPM Automotive turns around repairs with clear communication from named staff, including Hayden and Sarah, keeping clients informed throughout. Pricing is flagged by multiple clients as fair and not inflated, which sets them apart from shops where costs can creep up.

    Reviews most often describe: Car owners wanting honest repairs and fair pricing

    • Named staff take personal ownership
    • Upfront, fair pricing
    • Same-day turnaround available

    location_on 808 Hastings Street North, Hastings

  • 10

    Touch Up Guys Napier

    5.0 18 reviews Top5 Score 135
    5★ 18

    Touch Up Guys Napier turns around scratch, dent and bumper repairs in a single day for well under half the price of traditional body shops. Reviewers with classic cars and sun-damaged vehicles both noted paint matching that held up to scrutiny, which is not a given at this price point.

    Reviews most often describe: Scratch, dent and paint repair on a budget

    • Same-day scratch and dent repairs
    • Paint matched on classic and dark cars
    • Priced well below insurance-approved shops

    location_on 47 Flanders Avenue, Onekawa, Napier

Related Napier and Hastings rankings

About this ranking

How are the top panel beaters in Napier and Hastings chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for panel beaters in Napier and Hastings. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 15 July 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for panel beaters in Napier and Hastings. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 18. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.