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- Nonprofit and independent
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- Ratings and reviews by surveyed Consumers' Checkbook and Consumer Reports local subscribers
- Undercover price comparisons
- Complaint counts from local consumer agencies and attorney general offices
- Advice to help you get the best service and value
When your car breaks down or acts up, it’s a major inconvenience—and can be a major expense. That’s why finding a good mechanic or repair shop is so important. Our evaluations of hundreds of area shops will help you find great service and low prices.
Our price ratings of shops will help you find shops that charge fair prices. Don’t assume using a low-cost shop means having to accept low-quality work: We found that top shops are more likely to offer low prices as lousy shops.
If your car is still covered under a new-car warranty, you’ll want to use a dealership for repairs. But if your car is no longer under warranty, you’re probably best off using an independent shop.
While even the best body shops can't undo an accident, our ratings reveal that many shops will get your car back on the road without a hitch. But our ratings also reveal that some shops may compound your misery with lousy work.
Because insurance companies pay for most repairs, for most auto body repair customers cost is a less important consideration than quality. But if you’re picking up the tab, how much the shop charges is important.
If your insurance or another party’s insurance will pay for your repair, make sure the insurance company doesn’t cut corners. Your shop can be an expert ally in this effort, but you also must make the right moves.