What Questions Should I Ask an Auto Body Shop?

1. Are you I-CAR Gold Class certified? This is the industry top tier of collision training. I-CAR estimates fewer than 15% of US collision repair shops hold this certification. If the answer is 'yes, here's our certification number,' good. If the answer is 'we have I-CAR training' (without Gold Class), they're at a lower tier. If the answer is fuzzy or evasive, find another shop. OAB is I-CAR Gold Class — verify any shop's status on the I-CAR shop locator.

2. Do you have OEM certifications for my vehicle make? Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Chrysler, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Volvo, Tesla, Rivian — most run their own certification programs. A certified shop has access to OEM repair procedures, OEM parts, and approved equipment. If you drive a Hyundai and the shop isn't Hyundai Certified, they may be improvising on critical structural procedures.

3. Will you use OEM parts or aftermarket? The right answer is: 'OEM whenever possible, especially for safety and structural parts. Aftermarket only for cosmetic parts where quality is verified, and only with your approval.' If the answer is 'whatever your insurance covers' with no pushback, the shop isn't advocating for proper repair. Ask specifically about airbag modules, frame components, and safety sensors — those should be OEM-only. Major OEMs publish position statements asserting that aftermarket structural and safety parts can compromise crashworthiness — see Honda, Toyota, and others aggregated at OEM1Stop.

4. Do you do ADAS calibration in-house? Modern vehicles have cameras and radar that need recalibration after almost any front-end work — see I-CAR's ADAS calibration guidance. In-house static + dynamic calibration is faster and cleaner than subletting. If the shop sublets ADAS, ask which calibration provider they use and how that impacts timeline.

5. Do you have a laser-measure frame rack? Any structural repair should be measured against factory specs in 3D. Car-O-Liner, Chief, or Celette systems are the industry standard. If the shop is doing structural work without one, they're guessing. OAB runs Car-O-Liner.

6. What's your warranty on workmanship and paint? The right answer is 'lifetime, for as long as you own the vehicle.' Anything less than lifetime — 12 months, 36 months, 5 years — is a tell that the shop doesn't expect their work to last. OAB warranties workmanship and paint for life.

7. How do you handle insurance supplements? The right answer is 'we tear down the area, photograph hidden damage, write a detailed supplement, submit it to your adjuster, and follow up until approved. Repair doesn't proceed past the supplement until it's resolved.' If the shop says 'we just go with whatever the adjuster wrote,' they're not advocating for proper repair.

8. Can I get a written estimate before authorizing work? 'Yes, with photos and itemized labor, parts, and paint costs.' This is non-negotiable. Avoid any shop that pressures you to authorize work without a detailed written estimate. OAB provides free written estimates at all 3 locations.

9. What's your typical timeline for this type of repair? Honest shops give a range with the variables called out: 'Bumper repair is 3-5 business days unless we hit parts delays.' 'Structural is 2-4 weeks because of the frame measurement and ADAS recalibration steps.' If the shop just says 'a few days' with no specificity, they're either guessing or under-promising.

10. Will you call me before any work starts? The right answer is 'absolutely — nothing happens without your approval.' Some shops authorize work after a quick verbal at intake; reputable shops put the conversation after teardown when the actual scope is known. OAB always calls with the post-teardown scope and waits for your go-ahead.