How to Choose an Auto Body Shop: 10 Questions You Should Always Ask
Not all auto body shops are equal. Certifications, parts quality, paint systems, and warranty terms vary considerably from one shop to the next, and those differences directly affect how well your vehicle is repaired, how long that repair holds up, and what your car is worth when you eventually sell it.
Before you commit to a shop, these are the questions worth asking.
1. Are your technicians I-CAR certified?
I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) is the industry standard for collision repair training. Certification requires ongoing education as vehicle technology evolves and is not a one-time credential. Shops with I-CAR certified technicians are equipped to work on modern vehicles, which increasingly involve advanced materials, structural complexity, and driver assistance systems that require specific repair procedures.
At Shur-Way, our technicians are I-CAR certified and maintain that certification as standards change.
2. Do you offer a warranty on your repairs?
A repair warranty tells you how much confidence a shop has in its own work. Ask specifically what is covered, for how long, and whether the warranty transfers if you sell the vehicle. Some shops offer limited warranties tied to specific parts or labor. Others back their work more comprehensively.
Shur-Way offers a lifetime guarantee on all repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.
3. Do you use OEM, aftermarket, or recycled parts?
OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are made by the same manufacturer as your vehicle. Aftermarket parts are produced by third parties and vary in quality and fit. Recycled parts are salvaged from other vehicles.
The parts used in your repair affect how your vehicle fits together, how it performs in a subsequent collision, and in some cases whether your manufacturer warranty remains valid. Ask the shop to specify what parts they plan to use and whether your insurance coverage entitles you to OEM parts.
4. What paint system do you use?
Paint quality affects both appearance and durability. Water-based paint systems, while requiring more precise application conditions, produce more accurate color matching and contain significantly lower VOC (volatile organic compound) levels than solvent-based alternatives.
Shur-Way uses Spies Hecker waterborne paint, one of the leading systems in the industry for color accuracy and environmental standards.
5. Can you provide a written estimate?
Any reputable shop should provide a detailed written estimate before work begins. The estimate should itemize parts, labor, and any additional charges clearly. Be cautious of shops that are vague about costs upfront or unwilling to put estimates in writing.
Written estimates also serve as useful documentation if a supplement claim becomes necessary once repairs are underway and additional damage is discovered.
6. Do you work with my insurance company?
Most established body shops work directly with major insurance carriers, handling the documentation and communication on your behalf. Confirm this before committing, and clarify whether the shop will advocate for you if the insurer's initial estimate doesn't cover the full scope of repairs.
You are not required to use your insurer's preferred shop. In Missouri, you have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired.
7. How do you handle hidden or supplemental damage?
Damage that isn't visible during an initial inspection frequently appears once a repair is underway and panels are removed. A shop should have a clear process for identifying and documenting additional damage, submitting supplement claims to your insurer, and communicating changes to the repair scope before proceeding.
Ask how the shop handles this process and who is responsible for communicating with your insurer when it comes up.
8. What is your repair timeline, and how will you keep me informed?
Repair timelines vary based on parts availability, shop volume, and the complexity of the damage. A reliable shop should be able to give you a reasonable estimate and communicate proactively if anything changes. Ask if updates are provided by phone, text, or email, and who your point of contact will be throughout the process.
9. Can I see examples of your work or read customer reviews?
Asking to see prior work or checking independent review platforms (Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau) gives you a clearer picture of a shop's quality and customer experience than any sales pitch will. Pay attention to how the shop responds to negative reviews as much as the volume of positive ones.
10. How long have you been in business?
Longevity in the collision repair industry reflects sustained quality and community trust. A shop that has been operating for decades has a track record you can verify, a trained team that has worked together over time, and a reputation it has earned rather than asserted.
Shur-Way has been repairing vehicles for St. Louis drivers from the same Maplewood location since 1971. The shop is now in its third generation of family ownership.
Bring these questions with you
A shop that does quality work will have straightforward answers to all of them. If a shop is evasive about certifications, warranty terms, or parts quality, that is worth noting before you commit.
