Buyers are being sought for one of the UK’s biggest bodyshop chain according to industry insiders. Sky News has reported that the Carlyle Group, owners of the Nationwide Accident Repair Services network, has appointed a team of bankers to sound out prospective buyers.

The private equity Group, Carlyle, bought the business five years ago but like all automotive businesses have seen a sharp downturn in activity due to the Coronavirus crisis.

Founded in 1993 Nationwide has 115 bodyshops across the UK, as well as a fleet of mobile repairers. It is thought to repair around 300,000 vehicles per year.