How to Find a Good Auto Body Shop

Finding a good auto body shop is like finding a good doctor. Sure, you want a doctor who helps you drive down treatment costs, but you certainly don’t want a doctor who cuts corners and compromises your health.

It is important to conduct thorough research before choosing an auto body shop, otherwise you may end up with a defective vehicle which will leave you with further out of pocket costs. Doing your homework will help you avoid the common mistakes that people often make when choosing an auto body shop.

Online Reviews

Online reviews have gained a bad reputation in the past decade due to the fact that they can be manipulated. However, you can use them to your advantage if you know what to look for. Look to independent reviews on sites like Yelp and Google reviews, as the body shop cannot control the conversation there.

Avoid making a judgment based on short negative reviews, as they do not necessarily reflect general feeling about the auto shop. Look for reviews that are detailed and use constructive criticisms about the service and work performed at the shop. Active discussion forums are also a good place to get a feel for how well an auto body shop is performing in real time.

Conflicts of Interest

If an auto body shop has business ties to insurance companies it can result in a conflict of interest. You will want an auto body shop that provides all necessary repairs, without cutting corners to drive down costs. If an auto body shop is cagey about discussing ties to insurance companies, there may exist a conflict of interest.

The same applies to auto body shops which have exclusive deals, particularly parts suppliers. While this does not always result in a conflict of interest, it can mean that the auto body shop is using cheap parts as replacements in your quality vehicle.

Protect your Warranty

Ideally you will want an auto body shop that provides a lifetime warranty for work and parts. Before agreeing to work going ahead, make sure that you have read and fully understand the warranty. It is also important to ask questions if you are unclear on any of the details of the warranty.

Before agreeing to work, ask the auto body shop if the work will void the manufacturer’s warranty. This can happen when the auto body shop uses unapproved parts when conducting repairs. If the shop is unable to source original parts, ask them to create a warranty to replace that of the manufacturer.

Shop Around for an Auto Body Shop

Contrary to popular belief, shopping around does not necessarily mean settling for the lowest price. You also have to consider what you are getting for what you pay. When asking for estimates, ensure they are detailed. What you are looking for is the auto body shop that provides qualities parts and repairs at the best price.

Be assertive when discussing parts and repairs. If the auto body shop tells you that they use best-fit parts, ask for original parts for your car’s make and model. You should also consider going to an auto body shop that specializes in your vehicle.

Request Documentation

When you agree to work being carried out on your vehicle, much of that work may be a result of negotiation or a deal that the auto body shop is running at the time. It is absolutely crucial that you ask for documentation that guarantees the conditions of the work that the shop carries out.

Keep records of your costs so that you have supporting evidence for any insurance or car crash liability claims. Edwards & Patterson Law can help you pursue such claims. Contact Edwards & Patterson Law today if you have been in an accident involving one or more vehicles.