Finding a quality auto body repair shop can be a struggle. Of course, reading online reviews can certainly make the process easier, but reviews won’t tell you everything you should know about a shop before you turn your vehicle over for repairs.

How do you learn what you need to know about an auto repair shop before you decide to let them work on your ride? You ask the right questions. Which questions are those? Read on to find out.

1. DO YOU WARRANTY YOUR REPAIRS?


This is probably the most important question you can ask. A high-quality auto body repair shop should warranty their work to give you peace of mind that the repair will last. Make sure you ask how long the warranty lasts, as well as what it covers, so you know exactly what to expect.

2. DO YOU PROVIDE WRITTEN WORK ESTIMATES?


When you’re looking for auto body repairs, you want a written estimate so you can compare that estimate against the itemized bill later on. If you’re using your insurance to help cover the cost of the repairs, you’ll need this estimate so you can send it to your insurer. You’ll also need to refer to it to ensure the shop doesn’t charge you more than 10% over the cost on the estimate without your consent.

3. HOW LONG WILL THE JOB TAKE?


You might not be able to get an exact time estimate for the work, but it’s nice to have a ballpark figure so you know how long you might be without your vehicle. Work timelines can fluctuate daily depending on the shop’s volume of customers, so be sure to keep that in mind.

4. DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH MY MODEL OF VEHICLE?


Certain types of vehicles — namely, rare and luxury automobiles — are much more complicated to work on than standard cars, trucks, and SUVs. It can also be more challenging for shops to find the appropriate replacement parts for these types of automobiles.

If you own a luxury vehicle, make sure the technicians have plenty of experience repairing vehicles of the same type. If they don’t, you could end up with an unsatisfying repair or end up waiting a long time for the shop to source parts they don’t normally need to find.

5. WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DO YOU HOLD?


Industry certifications or memberships typically indicate that an auto body repair shop maintains a high workmanship quality standard. Don’t hesitate to ask the shop owner or technicians whether they maintain any special certifications or engage in ongoing training to bolster their skillset. The more trust signals the shop has, the better.

6. DO YOU OFFER RENTAL CAR SERVICE?


If your vehicle needs extensive work, you’ll probably need to arrange for a rental car so you can get yourself where you need to go while your ride is in the shop. That’s why asking about rental car service is so important.

Many high-end auto body repair shops offer this service, along with other concierge services like:

● Pick-up and drop-off services

● Comprehensive auto detailing

● 24/7 towing

If you can find a shop that offers these extras (like Minnetonka Collision!), it’s likely a safe bet. When a shop is willing to go the extra mile to satisfy their customers and make auto body repairs as convenient as possible, you can bet they’ll go the extra mile when repairing your vehicle, too.

GET TOP-NOTCH AUTO BODY REPAIRS AT MINNETONKA COLLISION


When you need an auto body repair team you can trust, look no further than Minnetonka Collision in Plymouth, MN! We specialize in high-end vehicles but service all other makes and models of automobiles as well. To get a service quote or learn more about how we can help you, feel free to request a free estimate online or give us a call today at 763-230-7805.