Helping you choose the right body shop
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Does the shop offer a warranty on their work?
Many shops will warranty their work and you want to make sure that if you have a problem you can bring your car back and the shop will make it right.
Does the shop have experience repairing your make and model of car?
Auto manufacturers will often offer certifications to shops that meet their standards. Checking to see if a shop is Ford or Honda certified (for example) can help ensure that you'll have an experienced technician working on your car.
Are certifications important?
Memberships and certifications show a commitment to excellence and shows that the shop works hard to maintain a well-trained staff.
Examples of some common certifications are:
•
Automotive Service Association
(ASA)
•
Automotive Service Excellence
(ASE)
•
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair
(I-Car)
Can the shop give you a loaner car while yours is being repaired?
Some shops will offer free or discounted rental or loaner cars. Others will help customers arrange a rental through an agency such as Hertz or Enterprise and sometimes can provide discounts. Always make sure you know what the cost will be before making any arrangements.
How do you know a shop's track record?
Reading reviews from other car owners is invaluable. Choosing a shop at random can be risky and you don't want to risk one of your biggest investments with a sub-par shop. AutoAdvise offers reviews from other car owners to help you make the right choice.
Scheduling your repair
When can the shop start the repairs on your car?
Find the shop that best fits your schedule. Many shops have weekend hours or can offer after-hours drop-off and pick-up.
How long will the repairs take?
A shop should be able to tell you about how long a repair will take before they start working on your car.
Keep in mind they might find additional damage during the repair which could delay the return of your car.
The shop should give you status updates throughout the repair.
Does location matter?
A shop's location can be a deciding factor. Finding a shop that's close to your home, work, school, etc. can help minimize disruptions to your schedule.
Also, if you're not getting a rental or loaner car, finding a shop that offers shuttle service or has easy access to public transportation is a big help.
Keep in mind that an exceptional shop can be worth a little extra driving.