A Good Collision Repair Shop vs. a Bad Collision Repair Shop 

After a collision, choosing a reputable collision repair shop is the most important decision you’ll have to make. After all, your auto body shop will be responsible for ensuring you have the best possible experience as a customer, and that your vehicle will come away with the best possible outcome — looking as good and performing just as predictably and safely as it did before the accident occurred.

First up, our team of estimators will thoroughly assess the damage and provide a comprehensive repair estimate. Ideally, they will also be able to assist you in navigating the insurance claims process. Most of all, you need to have the utmost faith that the collision repair expert you work with is capable and confident in terms of restoring your car to its original condition, both inside and out. Secondly, ask your dealer who they recommend directly or indirectly if they have heard about a specific shop. 

If you weren’t already aware, you will soon discover that an overwhelming number of collision repair shops are vying for your business out there, which is both good and bad. Good – because it gives you lots of options to choose from and helps you be confident that repair estimates will be competitively priced. But potentially also bad – because there are a lot of repair shops that are only interested in how much they stand to profit, instead of prioritizing your satisfaction, best interests and safety.

But how can you tell the bad actors from the good guys? Here, we’ll provide a rundown of tips on what to look for, as well as the red flags to avoid — as you go about making this all-important decision.    

Do Your Collision Repair Due Diligence

As you would when shopping for any product or service, take the time to do your homework. First up, ask for referrals from friends, family, and trusted auto professionals. The best collision repair shops will generate great feedback and word-of-mouth recommendations that you can trust. 

When it comes to online reviews, we’ve all heard about the practice of companies paying for praise. It’s important to employ some healthy skepticism here – not every review you read is going to be authentic. Having said that, it’s still worth your time to at least take a look at the Google or other online reviews of any repairer you are considering. Every shop gets the odd disgruntled customer (and let’s face it – some people are just never happy!) But where there’s smoke there’s generally fire, so steer clear of collision repair shops that seem to garner consistently bad reviews. 

This next point is a vital collision repair tip … do not skip it! Vet every facility you are considering for manufacturer certifications and industry association memberships. When a shop invests the time, money and effort to become manufacturer certified, you can take this as a sure sign that they use OEM (new, manufacturer-approved and warranty-protected) parts, and that their techs are up-to-date on the safest, most current repair techniques.

Does the Collision Repair Facility Want Your Business … and Your Trust? 

Just because it’s an auto body shop doesn’t mean their staff shouldn’t know how to communicate clearly and make a good impression. Right from the first phone call or online inquiry, you should be greeted with open, transparent and courteous communication. A surly attitude, a seeming lack of knowledge or a vague, lackadaisical response should be instant warning signs to take your business elsewhere.

Don’t be afraid to ask all of the questions you deserve to have answers to. How long have they been in business? Do they have more than one location? Are they involved in any initiatives to support the community or the environment? It is your car and your safety on the line, so make sure you get all of your concerns addressed. Any shop that truly cares about its reputation and wants you as a customer will not hesitate to give you all the information you need to make a decision.

Finally (and if you haven’t already), visit the shop in person — ideally unannounced —to assess cleanliness and organization. Any repairer can post pretty, staged pictures on their website, but how do things look on a regular day? Does the shop seem clean and orderly? Do the tools and equipment seem modern and well maintained, or neglected and out-of-date? Trust your gut! If you don’t get a good first impression, cross that one off your list of candidates. 

Gauging Collision Repair Quality of Work

 Shops that make a point of using quality parts and materials should be making that obvious from the outset. The use of OEM parts is a win-win for both the shop and the customer. They fit predictably and reliably so everyone can be sure the repair is of the highest quality and will last.

At Mitek, you can see all of our manufacturer certifications front and centre on the home page of our website, so customers can see right away that we know what we are doing and are worthy of their trust. Consider this the Good Housekeeping seal of approval for automobile repair, and don’t risk working with any shop that doesn’t promote OEM parts and manufacturer approval as a benefit of choosing to work with them.

The same high standards should be obvious in the level of knowledge and training of their technicians. Look for evidence of ongoing training and manufacturer certifications on the shop’s website, in reviews, and even on signs or stickers in the shop itself.   

Money Matters

Whether you’re shopping for new windows for your home or choosing a caterer for an upcoming party, it only makes sense to get multiple quotes, and shopping for reputable mechanics or collision repair shops is no different. Don’t be tempted to go with the first shop on your list, or even with the lowest quote you receive. Even if that collision repairer comes highly recommended by friends or family, you’ll feel more confident knowing you’ve taken the time to consider ALL your options, and you might just end up saving yourself some money as well.

Speaking of money … a word of caution about quotes: If you get one that seems too good to be true, it probably is! It may be tempting to go with the lowest bidder, but any quote that seems unrealistically low is probably best to steer clear of. Chances are it means the shop is cutting corners — whether via low-quality parts, subpar workmanship and/or the inability to stand behind the integrity of their repairs.  

Act in your own best interests: Ensure the shop provides detailed estimates and explanations of the repairs needed. Be sure to ask about warranties and guarantees that cover the parts used and the work performed, as well as any discounts or promotions that may be available.

Collision Repair Red Flags to Watch Out For

Stay alert and use your common sense to help you identify auto body shops that are not worthy of your trust. Remember that not just your money, but your safety is at stake. Here are some of the more obvious red flags to keep an eye out for as you move through this process: 

1. You are feeling pressured to make immediate decisions. Reputable collision repair facilities will never resort to this tactic. They know that you’ve just been through a stressful and possibly traumatic experience, and they will be more than patient in answering all your questions and allowing you ample time to gather all the facts prior to making a decision.

2. Absence of written estimates or contracts. No handshakes will suffice here. Particularly with insurance companies involved, it’s imperative to get everything in writing BEFORE authorizing any work to be done. In fact, never commit to anything, even verbally, until all the information has been properly presented – i.e. clearly and logically written out – for your perusal and approval.

3. Reluctance to provide information or answer questions. Particularly in the collision repair industry, transparency and a forthcoming attitude are fundamental in establishing a relationship founded on trust and confidence. If you sense an evasive attitude and/or an unwillingness to answer all your questions, do not hesitate to walk out the door. There are plenty of other options to choose from, and you deserve nothing less than to have all the information necessary to make a sound decision.

Your Car, Your Safety & Your Money = Your Call

 Let’s quickly recap some key tips to keep in mind if you should find yourself in need of a reputable collision repair shop:

Research a Reputable Collision Repair Facility

• Ask for referrals from friends & family
• Read (and try to gauge the authenticity of) online reviews
• Check for certifications and industry memberships

Observe & Assess

• Look for timely, clear & courteous communications
• Ask all the questions that come to mind to help you make an informed decision
• Visit the shop in person to form a first impression

Quality Control

• Make sure the shop is manufacturer-certified for your brand of vehicle
• Do the technicians participate in ongoing training & education?
• Ask whether they use only OEM parts and what kind of warranty applies

Dollar Sense

• Don’t necessarily go with the lowest bidder and beware of any quote that seems too low to be believed
• Confirm that detailed explanations and written estimates are standard operating procedures

Take a Pass If …

• You are feeling pressured to make a decision
• Estimates and contracts are not offered in writing
• It seems harder than it should to get your questions answered or access the information you need to make a decision

Searching for an auto body shop and getting your car repaired after a collision is not always easy or enjoyable, but it must be done. We hope that you never have a collision and have to make use of the tips presented here, but it’s always wise to be prepared!

If you have any questions, tips or stories to share based on your own collision repair experience, we would love to hear from you. For now, stay safe and happy driving!

Mike Tikl

mike.t@mitekautobody.com