Why do car bodyshop garages take so long to repair your car?
By Rosie
@rosie230 (1703)
June 16, 2010 12:55pm CST
My car was involved in an accident about a month ago, and a week ago it went in to the body shop garage to be repaired. Now the damage it had was a dented front wing, and some paint missing on my bumper. I didn't think it was much damage, but I am beginning to wonder about this now, as they told me originally it would take 2 days for them to complete the work, and when I phoned them yesterday, they told me that they were HOPING to have it finished by Friday, but they said it could go into next week!!! It has been a week already that they have had my car in for. I was not worried, because the guy who hit my car, his insurance company is paying for me to have a rental car, but they are only paying for the rental of it until saturday at midday. So I am a little worried now.
So... does anyone here know how long they take to repair cars, is this too long for the damage caused, or do you think it sounds about right?
2 people like this
10 responses
@slovenc1 (2089)
• Slovenia
16 Jun 10
Mechanics are also humans and there fore lazy and like to postpone work. I bet when they saw how much they have to do they went on a different project. Sure they will check oil, change lamps...in a day. But not heavy repairs they'll take time. Anyway my car gets repaired very quickly i can't complain but the price 
too much!
too much!1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
16 Jun 10
It really depends on the extent of the damage to your car how long it will take to have it repaired. Last year a friend of mine backed into my car with her car and it caused what looked like minimal damage to me, but it cost quite a bit of time and money to have it repaired because they had to order a replacement piece and then there was paint work. Any time that there is paint work, you can guarantee that it will take at least two days because that is how long it takes to get the paint done and dried.
@rosie230 (1703)
•
16 Jun 10
Yes I did wonder about the paint, because my car is a dark metallic colour and I think that they did say that it does take a little time to colour match it. Perhaps that is the reason for their time. I am not too bothered as I said since it was not fault I am not paying for anything, but I just am a little concerned that I may not have a car to take my son to school after the weekend, hopefully the guys insurance company will sort it out. Thanks for your comment!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
17 Jun 10
Hi Rosie,
I don't really know but it sounds like this mechanic may have had other work ahead of yours. He told you how long it would take to repair it but neglected to tell you how long it would be before he got to it I think. I just switched over from a mechanic I've had for 30 yrs to another mechanic who was highly recommended. My mechanic it seems has taken on way too much work and whenever I needed something done, it would take him forever and sometimes not at all. I would talk to the guy about your rental car situation. If he can't get it done on time then I would consider taking the car elsewhere.
@anandrehoboth (52)
• India
17 Jun 10
what you had said everything is ok. But the matter is what the car is...
the repair depends on the brand of the car... the branded car takes much time to complete the repair.. our mechanics are too lazy to complete the work and will take care on the vehicle.... so my friend be patient your car will be ready soon
@ladytweety74 (35)
• Netherlands Antilles
17 Jun 10
It's so many things you have to see, why they take so long time.
Maybe they don't have the parts.
Maybe they have workers that are ill.
Maybe they don't have enough time.
Maybe there was so many car that was damage.
But all around the world is the same.
Don't worry and wait. That's all we can do.
@weasel81 (2496)
• Australia
16 Jun 10
we've been lucky with the panel beater (body shop) we use he's usually does the job in a good amount of time. thou last time we had it in, for hitting a kangaroo. the wrong front bumper was sent up, and that was not found out till thery were putting the bumper on. so it was late in the week by then, and we had to wait another few days to get the car fixed and finished. big down side was only having the one car. and we really needed 2 at the time.
i'm currently stuck with out a car, a wire burn out yesterday that goes to the starter motor. i think it's the one that has been causing problems, and finally it gave. down side was i was not near home, i was lucky to have pulled in at a friends place when it happened. they gave me a tow start and i got home fast as i could. so now waiting on the parts to fix the ute, which i'm hoping will be here friday. so dad can fix it over the weekend.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
16 Jun 10
Well, it doesn't sound like much of a damage. I think that this is the fault of delinquent repair men, who don't finish their job in time. Well, who knows, maybe they had a good reason for it or perhaps it was just laziness, but they surely should have informed you about the delay and perhaps compensate your troubles that were caused by absence of a car.
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
16 Jun 10
It all depends of if the parts are available and if there was any fram damage as to the length of repairs. Also if your car is painted a metalic color they may have to fly a technician out to do a paint matching. I know that my Mustang has a color that can only be matched by a Ford technician and there are no paint techs locally (I was told this when I bought the car). As for the other persons insurance, now is the time to be call them and letting them know that the service may not be complete and that they may need to make arrangements with the rental company for you to keep the car a few more days.
@Beautyfactor (1512)
•
16 Jun 10
Tell me about it. Two weeks ago our car failed it's annual inspection so we took it to the garage to be fixed to a specific time. When we asked the guy how long it would take he said 'one day'...six days later we get a phone call telling us that our car is fixed.
