When a car has been in an accident, even a small one, the force of the impact can move parts of the chassis without you realising. The outside might only show a cracked bumper or a dented wing, but underneath, the structure may have shifted a few millimetres. That’s enough to make the car drive badly, wear tyres unevenly, or even crab sideways on the road.

This is where jigging comes in.

In this guide, we explain in straight, simple terms what jigging is, when a car needs it, how it’s done, and what you should expect.

1) What is car jigging?

Car jigging is the process of putting a damaged vehicle onto a special alignment bench (normally called a “jig”) so we can pull the chassis back to its original factory position.

When a car takes a hit, the body might look damaged, but the real problem can be the structure underneath. The jig locks the car in place, and we use manufacturer measurements to pull everything back square, straight and level.

You can think of it like resetting the skeleton of the car to how it left the factory.

2) When would a car need to be jigged?

A car needs jigging when any part of the structural frame has moved due to an impact. This can happen from:

• a front or rear-end crash
• a heavy knock to a corner
• a side impact that’s pushed the sill or floor in
• hitting a kerb or pothole hard enough to bend more than the tracking
• panel gaps suddenly sitting wrong
• a wheel sitting too far forward or back in the arch

Even a “small accident” can be enough to twist or pull parts of the chassis out of alignment.

Common signs include:

• steering wheel not straight
• car pulling to one side
• uneven tyre wear
• car feeling unsettled over bumps
• doors or boot not lining up properly

If you notice any of these symptoms, the structure may have shifted, and jigging is usually the fix.

3) What happens if the chassis is bent?

A bent chassis isn’t something to ignore — it affects how the car drives, how safe it is, and how long the tyres and suspension last.

One of the biggest and most noticeable symptoms is crabbing.

This is when the car doesn’t drive straight behind itself. Instead, the rear of the car travels slightly sideways compared to the front. From behind, the car looks like it’s going diagonally down the road. This happens when the chassis has shifted, and the wheels no longer line up properly.

Other problems caused by a bent chassis include:

• the car pulling left or right
• the steering wheel sitting off-centre
• tyres wearing out unevenly
• suspension sitting at different heights
• vibrations at speed
• MOT issues
• reduced crash protection

People often assume the car is “fine because it still drives,” but structural damage gets worse if it’s not corrected. A twisted chassis means nothing sits level — the suspension, the geometry, the panels, even the subframes all sit off.

Jigging puts all of this right.

4) How is jigging done?

Here’s how the process works in a proper bodyshop:

Step 1: The car is fitted onto a heavy-duty jig bench

The jig locks the vehicle down at fixed anchor points so it can’t move.

Step 2: We take the manufacturer’s measurements

Every car has precise data showing exactly where the chassis points should be. We compare the damaged car to these measurements.

Step 3: We identify what’s bent and by how much

This shows us exactly where the structure has shifted.

Step 4: We pull the chassis back into position

Hydraulic towers and clamps are used to pull or push the chassis legs, sills, floors or mounting points until they match the factory data.

Step 5: We re-measure everything

It must be exact — down to the millimetre — before any cosmetic repair is done.

Step 6: Once straight, we carry on with the rest of the repair

Panels, bumpers, wings and paintwork are done after the structure is corrected.

Done properly, the car ends up sitting exactly as it should, often straighter than before the accident.

5) Can you notice if a car has been jigged?

If the jigging has been done correctly, you shouldn’t be able to tell at all.

A properly jigged car will:

• drive straight
• feel stable on the road
• have even tyre wear
• have doors, panels and bonnet gaps sitting evenly

The only time you’ll notice a car has been jigged is if the job was done poorly, which can show through:

• uneven or wide panel gaps
• car drifting or pulling
• tyres wearing strangely
• doors not closing smoothly

At a proper bodyshop using the right equipment, jigging is invisible.
The car will be just as structurally sound as it was when it left the factory.

6) How much does jigging cost?

The cost depends on how badly the chassis is bent and how many points need correcting.

Here’s a rough guide:

• Minor misalignment / light pulls: £550–£850
• Moderate structural correction: £1000–£1,800
• Major chassis straightening: £2,000–£3,500+

High-end cars (Bentley, BMW M, Porsche, AMG, Range Rover etc.) can cost more because the structures are more complex and often require specialist jigs or aluminium repair tools.

Time is the biggest factor — the more points that are out, the longer the setup and pulling takes.

7) Do insurance companies cover the cost of jigging a car?

Yes, in most cases they do.

If the accident is going through insurance and the structure is damaged, insurers almost always approve jigging because it’s the only proper way to restore the car’s safety and geometry.

Insurance companies prefer cars to be repaired on:

• approved jig benches
• using correct manufacturer data
• by trained structural technicians

If the damage is too severe and the cost is high, the insurer may write the car off instead. But if the car is repairable, jigging is included in the claim as part of the structural repair process.

Has Your Car Been Involved in an Accident?

If your car has had a bump — big or small — and you think the chassis might be out of line, or the car is pulling, crabbing, or the gaps just don’t look right, we can check it properly for you.

Bodyshop Manchester specialises in structural and accident repairs, including full jigging and chassis alignment using factory measurements.

You can visit our accident repair page here:
https://www.bodyshopmanchester.co.uk/services/accident-repair

You’re also welcome to send photos through WhatsApp or pop down to the workshop for an honest, straightforward assessment.