Questions to ask any body shop

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are made by the same supplier that built your car's original parts, to the same specifications. Aftermarket parts are made by third parties, and quality varies widely, from 'indistinguishable from OEM' to 'visibly worse fit and finish.' For structural and safety parts (bumper reinforcements, airbags, crash sensors), we strongly recommend OEM. For cosmetic parts, quality aftermarket can be acceptable. We always tell you what's being used and why.

I-CAR is the industry standard for collision repair training. I-CAR Gold Class Certified is the highest tier of that program -- it requires that every technician on the shop floor complete continuous training on current vehicle construction, structural repair, refinishing, and electronics. Fewer than 10% of body shops in the country meet the standard. Mike's Auto Body is I-CAR Gold Class Certified, which is why we can confidently take on modern vehicles with aluminum panels, ADAS sensors, and high-strength steel.

Yes. Most modern vehicles require pre- and post-repair diagnostic scans to identify any fault codes before repair and confirm the repair didn't introduce new ones. Most manufacturers require this. A shop that skips the scan is either under-equipped or cutting corners, and neither is a good sign.

A good shop offers a lifetime workmanship warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. Paint warranty is typically 3 to 5 years (often following the paint manufacturer's warranty). Parts warranty follows the parts supplier (OEM parts from the manufacturer, aftermarket from the aftermarket supplier). Anything less than 'lifetime workmanship' is worth asking about.

Many modern trucks and some cars (most Fords, many Audis, higher-end Jaguars and Land Rovers) use aluminum body panels. A shop repairing aluminum needs a separate aluminum welder, dedicated tools, and isolated work area to prevent steel contamination. If your vehicle has aluminum panels and the shop can't explain their aluminum process, it's the wrong shop.