Possibly dumb question about bodywork repairs

[keitheva]

The current Aston VH structure includes bonded ("glued") parts, involving precise application of adhesive and curing in big, hot, ovens. When a VH car is involved in an accident, how are repairs to the structure and panels effected, since I assume the average body shop is in no way equipped to perform the bonding techniques?

[blackice1]

You have different grade of bodyshops , If the car needs that sort of repair it will need to go to a Aston Martin approved Cat A bodyshop.

[Vantagefan]

The bonding for the VH structure is a hot cure adhesive and cannot come undone but that only applies to the tub. The panels and most ancillary parts are bonded on using a two part adhesive that can be removed. It is still a job and can only be done through the dealer network.

[keitheva]

Vantagefan said:

The bonding for the VH structure is a hot cure adhesive and cannot come undone but that only applies to the tub. The panels and most ancillary parts are bonded on using a two part adhesive that can be removed. It is still a job and can only be done through the dealer network.

Thanks for the info.

Does this mean then that in an accident which damages the tub, the car is essentially a write-off, since there is no economically feasible method of repair? If so, does that also imply that a VH Aston is more likely to be written-off in an accident which damages the tub compared to other cars -- since it cannot be economically repaired due to the bonding approach, whereas a welded tub vehicle possibly could be economically repaired?