Body shops delay repairs while waiting on parts
10 posts across 3 communities in the last 90 days; 60% from r/Autobody.
“Ohhh sorry misunderstood your title. When you say these body shops are closed what do u mean? For how long? You cant find a mobile guy?”
“Feel free to call GM corporate and voice your concerns with parts availability and delays. The problem is GM isnt great to begin with on parts availability, let alone on a vehicle that only sold 12k units in 2026. Most local level dealers don't have much, if any inventory for…”
“I went to a mechanic Tuesday and had to get my caliper replaced. I was also told my front struts and lower control arm need replaced. I’m going to get a new car in the spring and wondering if my car can hold out until then. But I do have to drive back home next month for a…”
Several users report significant delays in auto body repair work due to body shops claiming they are 'waiting on parts.' These delays extend for months, impacting vehicle availability and causing frustration. One user's Cadillac has been stuck at a shop for eight weeks after a second collision.
SOURCES (16)
“I went to a mechanic Tuesday and had to get my caliper replaced. I was also told my front struts and lower control arm need replaced. I’m going to get a new car in the spring and wondering if my car can hold out until…”
“26 civic sport, sedan passenger rear view assembly? Is there a quick alternative even if it’s a part without the tech just to have a mirror? Maybe Amazon or something? submitted by /u/tobuu777 [link] [comments]”
“If you're estimate has the parts listed, call your local dealership parts department and check stock on your parts. If they say a certain part is backordered than you will know.”
Bad customer service!! You’re entitled to know why it’s taking so long
“Shop owner and manager here, nothing about what you’ve shown says this is a two month repair. Your vehicle is driveable, if there are parts issues (it’s a Honda and everything looks repairable from your photos so unlikely) they should have given it back while they wait on parts. Sorry you’re dealing with this but I’d ask for my car back until they can secure a reasonable timeline or go somewhere else entirely.”
“Hi! Getting my car repaired after being rear-ended. Because my car is relatively new (low mileage 2024), I chose to take my car to a Toyota-certified auto body shop. It’s been 6 business days since the shop emailed the estimate and pictures to the insurance company. Typically, how long does this take? I live in NJ, and I am going through my own insurance. I’m asking because I don’t want to be “that gal” who’s a nuisance and calls their adjuster for every little thing! Thank you. submitted”
“I’m trying to get an idea of how a body shop repairs these damages, how long it takes to receive these parts, and issues that could arise later down the line or if my back up camera and sensors will work like before and why my break light area isn’t flipping down (when I try on my own) I didn’t want to force it but just curious if it slammed up bc all the glass came out submitted by /u/Offthetopofmyhead1 [link] [comments]”
“i dont know anything about autobody but i had a crack on my bumper and a few dents, the body repairer has just sent me this pic , i thought they would put a new bumper , is this going to come good ? i dont like that patch at all , they bpught a new bootlid because the previous one was smashed too https://preview.redd.it/8xrhouuhgbnh1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=87f741d034d815babb99103ad2de9fa52de48e19 submitted by /u/AsandaLFC [link] [comments]”
“Ohhh sorry misunderstood your title. When you say these body shops are closed what do u mean? For how long? You cant find a mobile guy?”
“It’s been 2 years waiting on the build of my engine. For reference it’s a BMW M6. And the whole engine is being rebuilt. During this time, the builder had a baby and lost some workers. So we have been flexible with him but he said it would be done 2 months ago and we went to see the car today after being blown off multiple times and scheduling conflicts.…the engine was still not in the car. He was working on his laptop, working on other things. We have paid our invoice, and we’re holding the rem”
“No I won’t wait (6) weeks I’d rather drive out of state and pay an out of state shop to fix my shit. Lol”
“Thank you! I signed a 2 year lease. I’m currently 6 months into the lease, it’s been out of my possession and waiting on parts for 5 months with no end in sight. Have you ever know Cadillac to offer a lease extension or any kind of “we’re sorry we leased you a vehicle that we can’t even repair” program? haha Doubtful, since most people seem to be in the exact boat as me. I freaking love that car too. Overall, I’m glad I leased but dang, maybe we shouldn’t offer a 2 year term in the midst of a pa”
“I've been in this profession as an auto refinish tech for 46 years and I have never seen the wait time on parts like they are now.”
“Feel free to call GM corporate and voice your concerns with parts availability and delays. The problem is GM isnt great to begin with on parts availability, let alone on a vehicle that only sold 12k units in 2026. Most local level dealers don't have much, if any inventory for new and obscure models and the dealer is waiting for them to arrive from Michigan so they can be delivered to the shop. I would be more upset that your vehicle was involved in an accident while in the shop's possess”
“I feel that, my car was in a accident not long ago aswell and being able to drive 5000 miles in two months without moving my own odometer felt pretty nice lmao. And yeah base model sucks, I never expected the seats in my 2017 SR altima to be that much more comfortable than a 2026 base altima. Hopefully you aren't paying too much tho, the other insurance pretty much covered everything for me.”
“This seems to be my body shops favorite excuse for the last 4 months, and I’m so over it. I lease a 2026 Cadillac Optic. I drove the car 3 weeks before I was hit by a driver with an obstructed view. Not my fault, and repairs began quickly. These repairs took 8 weeks (all cause of parts). The morning I was scheduled to pick up my car, it was rear-ended while the body shop was performing a calibration test drive. That was 8 weeks ago. Last I heard, the car would be ready July 24. When I called to”