When you do an online search for a “bodyshop near me,” you’ll likely find dozens of options. Knowing which one to pick can be overwhelming since there are positive and negative reviews for each. You have to weigh which reviews mean more to you and eliminate those that seem unreasonable to narrow down your selection. The last thing you want to do is get tired of looking for a good body shop and just settle for the one that offers the cheapest pricing. Usually, cheap prices equate to low-quality parts and service, which will end up costing you more money in the long run. When searching for a “bodyshop near me” the results can be a little less overwhelming when you consider these points and simplify your searching efforts.
Check Out The Services Provided
Think about the different situations you could be in when searching for a “bodyshop near me.” If you get into a vehicle accident, you want to feel confident when you call your body shop and know they will take care of you as quickly as possible. The hassle-free convenience of this process is often overlooked since the common misconception among vehicle owners is all body shops are difficult to work with. Hassle-free convenience means providing cost estimates quickly and easily without even having to go into the body shop. And if you need your vehicle to be towed, you should be able to make one phone call to your body shop rather than calling another outside towing company. Finally, when you’re reading reviews after searching for a “bodyshop near me,” notice whether the body shop offers rental cars for their customers.
Other services to consider when searching for a “bodyshop near me,” include the quality of work, the types of parts they use, and any guarantees they offer. Body shops should take pride in their work and should prove it to their customers by offering guarantees on parts and workmanship. When you get into a vehicle accident, you want to ensure the car gets repaired and restored to its original condition. That’s not possible when low-quality parts are used, so always ask about the types of parts they use.
Work With A Shop That Offers OEM Parts
In your efforts to find a “bodyshop near me,” pay attention to whether the body shop uses OEM parts for repairs. OEM parts are designed to fit perfectly on your vehicle since they are designed by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Everything from screws, bolts, wiring, computer technology, and more can vary in size and functionality. Not using OEM parts could mean more problems down the road, or your vehicle might not work how it did before getting in the accident.
When the body shop uses OEM parts, you have a lower chance of having to bring your vehicle back for repairs for the same issue. Plus, in the event of a vehicle accident that requires repairs to external components of the vehicle, OEM parts will lead to a perfect match. Combine the OEM parts with quality workmanship and your vehicle should be restored to a condition that’s exactly the same as it was before the accident occurred. Be careful when choosing a body shop that doesn’t offer OEM parts or only offers a select number of them. Their pricing might be lower, but the quality of repairs will be much lower as well.
Look For Manufacturer Certifications
Manufacturer certifications are critical to look for when searching for a “bodyshop near me.” Vehicle manufacturers don’t just hand out certifications to any body shop. They require technicians to go through extensive training to ensure they know the ins and outs of every model of vehicle they have. So when a body shop has a manufacturer certification from the manufacturer of your vehicle, it’s almost like taking your vehicle directly to the manufacturer to get repaired.
It’s not easy for a body shop to get a manufacturer certification, which is why less than 10% of body shops are certified by the manufacturer. And an even lower percentage has multiple manufacturer certifications. When you come across a company that has multiple manufacturer certifications in your search for a “bodyshop near me,” it should get your attention in a good way. You can have peace of mind knowing your vehicle will be repaired to the highest quality and it’s worth paying a little extra for. And you’ll be able to drive confidently knowing the parts come with the manufacturer’s warranty in case any issues do arise.