The ship previously built is coming in for repairs (7)

I believe the answer is:

solders

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'repairs' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'the ship previously built is coming in' is the wordplay.
'the ship' becomes 'SS' (prefix in ship names eg SS Great Britain).
'previously built' becomes 'older' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'is coming in' is an insertion indicator.
'ss' enclosing 'older' is 'SOLDERS'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for solders that I've seen is " Joins".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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