Paul De Vantier (MD of Lightstone Consumer) explains the process: “We have almost 1 000 Motor body repairers who subscribe to Echo-MBR and this generates an enormous amount of data, which we can analyse to produce very accurate ratings and rankings for MBRs across the country”
One of the challenges in producing a ranking based on average scores has always been the variability that smaller sample sizes can introduce, to solve this businesses such as Amazon and Google use advanced Bayesian statistical analyses for their product and service review ratings.These methods are remarkably accurate, reliable and robust.Lightstone Consumer has applied these methods to the data gathered over many years for almost 1 000 panel beaters in South Africa to determine who is the best of the best.
PARK PANELBEATERS AND SPRAYPAINTERS in Vanderbijlpark is the overall best panel beater in South Africa for 2018.“The Echo-MBR rankings are based on issues that customer have told us matter to them,” says De Vantier, “customers most care that the repair is done right first time, that it is completed on time, that the staff are friendly, and they are kept informed on progress.”
These aspects make up the Echo-MBR Key Attributes Index encompassing ‘Fixed Right First Time’; ‘Ready on Time’; ‘Staff Friendliness’ and ‘Consultant Rating / Keeping Clients Informed’.
“I visited Park Panelbeaters myself to deliver the Echo-MBR trophy and after seeing the family run operation first hand, I could readily see why customers rate them highly; the place is spotless, staff are friendly and enthusiastic, and the vehicle handover process is benchmark” adds De Vantier.
Park Panelbeaters still operates out of premises set up 50 years ago. It’s a complete family-run business, brothers Karl and Anton and other family members are passionately committed to growing the legacy started by Gerhard and Marie in 1967.
Which Other Panel Beaters are amongst the best?
Which Panel Beaters provide the best service to their customers? And which are most likely to be recommended for fixing the car right the first time, fixing the car on time, who is the most professional and who rates best for friendliness?
Top 10 National - Overall Best
| National Rank | Motor Body Repairer | Province |
| 1 | Park Panelbeaters2 | Gauteng |
| 2 | Brighton Body & Spray | Western Cape |
| 3 | CBS Body Works | Western Cape |
| 4 | Classic Panel Beaters | Kwa-Zulu Natal |
| 5 | WesKaap Bakwerke | Western Cape |
| 6 | Greenstone Auto Body | Gauteng |
| 7 | Tableview Coachworks | Western Cape |
| 8 | Louis Auto Body Repairs | Western Cape |
| 9 | Harveys of Durban | Kwa-Zulu Natal |
| 10 | Forsman Paneelkloppers | North West |
Top 5 in Gauteng
| Gauteng Rank | Motor Body Repairer | City | Including Category Awards For: |
| 1 | Park Panelbeaters | Vanderbijlpark | Fixed Right First Time; Friendliest Staff |
| 2 | Greenstone Auto Body | Edenvale | |
| 3 | Cranbourne Panelbeaters | City | Fixed Right First Time |
| 4 | Midcity Auto Body | Pretoria | Fixed Right First Time |
| 5 | Panel Lab | Johannesburg |
Top 5 in Western Cape
| Western Cape Rank | Motor Body Repairer | City | Including Category Awards For: |
| 1 | Brighton Body & Spray | Brackenfell | Fixed Right First Time; Ready On Time; Friendliest Staff |
| 2 | CBS Body Works | Mossel Bay | Fixed Right First Time; Ready On Time |
| 3 | WesKaap Bakwerke | Vredenburg | Friendliest Staff |
| 4 | Tableview Coachworks | Cape Town | Friendliest Staff |
| 5 | Louis Auto Body Repairs | Plettenberg Bay | Ready On Time |
Top 5 in KwaZulu Natal
| Kwa-Zulu Natal Rank | Motor Body Repairer | City | Including Category Awards For: |
| 1 | Classic Panel Beaters | Pinetown | Friendliest Staff |
| 2 | Harveys of Durban | Durban | Ready On Time; Friendliest Staff |
| 3 | Giorgio Express Auto Body Repairs | Margate | Friendliest Staff |
| 4 | Margate Auto Refinishers | Port Shepstone | |
| 5 | SMG Umhlanga ARC | Umhlanga |
Top 5 in Eastern Cape
| Eastern Cape Rank | Motor Body Repairer | City | Including Category Awards For: |
| 1 | Auto Trust Body Repairs | Port Elizabeth | |
| 2 | Bruno's Panelbeaters | Port Alfred | |
| 3 | Golden Panelbeaters | Queenstown | Ready On Time |
| 4 | Autotech Paneelkloppers | Jeffreys Bay | |
| 5 | Gordon Cumming Body Repairs | East London |
Top 5 in Free State
| Free State Rank | Motor Body Repairer | City | Including Category Awards For: |
| 1 | ACD Panelbeaters | Welkom | Fixed Right First Time |
| 2 | TC Panelbeaters | Bloemfontein | Ready On Time |
| 3 | Kroon Paneelkloppers | Kroonstad | |
| 4 | Olympic Panelbeaters | Welkom | |
| 5 | Technicolour Sprayshop | Bloemfontein |
