How Long Does Auto Body Repair Really Take After a Major Collision?

Few things are more frustrating than trying to get your vehicle back after it’s been wrecked. You’ve got insurance calls, rental car questions, and repeated yelling kids screaming “WHEN IS MY CAR GONNA BE READY?!”

Well, the truth is… there’s no cut-and-dry answer. Auto body repair timelines vary greatly based on many different factors. Parts availability, the severity of damage, and repair shop schedules all play a role.

Luckily, this guide is going to break down everything you need to know about auto body repair timelines.

What you’re going to learn:

• What Affects Auto Body Repair Timelines?
• The Stages Of A Major Collision Repair
• How Long Each Stage Really Takes
• What To Do While Waiting For Repairs

What Affects Auto Body Repair Timelines?

Okay, let’s jump right in. Auto body repairs can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months. Why is there such a large range?

Well, firstly, the severity of the damage. If you dropped off your car for a simple bumper ding repair…it’ll only take a couple of days. But if you’ve been in a major collision and the insurance adjuster lit your car up like a Christmas tree? Then it could take weeks or months.

Collisions these days are about way more than denting metal. Body shops have to contend with safety sensors, electronics, and hideous body damage that are harder to fix. ANY damage to your vehicle frame could result in major delays while everything is properly realigned.

Automotive technology is becoming extremely complex these days. Hours can be spent just diagnosing problems that may or may not be related to the collision.

Everything from parts availability to technician expertise plays a role in repair times. Common parts that are available at every shop? Simple. Parts that need to be ordered from the manufacturer for luxury makes like BMW? Maybe not so much.

Depending on the make, model, year, and repairs needed, your vehicle could take a while.

Lastly, another big variable that nobody thinks about? Insurance approvals. The body shop cannot start any work until the insurance company reviews and approves the vehicle estimate. With over 39k traffic fatalities in 2024 and millions of collisions per year, insurance companies are bogged down with work. Adding 3-5 days for a simple estimate approval isn’t unheard of.

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know how frustrating the entire process can be. But just like seeking legal counsel from a car accident attorney right away can help you navigate the confusion… using these tips will help you get your car back faster.

The Stages Of A Major Collision Repair

When estimating repair times, it’s important to understand that every collision repair facility follows the exact same process.

By knowing the stages your vehicle will go through during repairs, you can avoid unwanted frustration along the way.

Here’s what to expect:

Incoming Vehicle Assessment

First things first, your vehicle needs to be inspected by the repair shop. They will document all damages and provide you with an itemized estimate. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to up to one full day.

Some estimates may change later on in the process as well. Oftentimes, collision damage can cause unseen damage once the vehicle is opened up.

Insurance Company Review

After the shop finalizes your estimate, they will send it over to your insurance company for review and approval. Depending on how busy they are, this process usually takes about 3-5 business days.

Minor repairs will likely be approved very quickly, but any custom vehicles or serious damage can take longer to approve.

If there are any problems with paperwork or injuries related to the accident, expect this process to take even longer.

Ordering Replacement Parts

Once the repair estimate is approved, the body shop will order any parts they need to complete repairs. Straight off the shelf parts could arrive in 1-2 days, but some parts have lead times of over a week!

According to CCC Intelligent Solutions, the average total cost of collision repair hit OVER $4,730 by Q4 of 2024.

Higher prices and shortages have made ordering parts more difficult than ever before.

Body Work/Painting

This is where all the “fun” begins. Structural repairs are made, damaged parts are replaced, and vehicle alignments are performed. After the body work is complete, painting and wrapping occur.

Typically, minor repairs can be done within 1-3 business days. Major reconstruction and framework? Expect 1-3 weeks.

Paint alone can take upwards of 3 days to complete, depending on damage and colour matching needs.

Rebuild/Quality Control

The vehicle is now put back together and goes through a detailed quality control inspection. Ensuring everything works as it should and meets industry safety standards.

This stage shouldn’t take more than 1 day to complete. In fact, this is arguably the most important stage of the entire repair process.

How Long Each Stage Really Takes

Since every collision is different, there’s no telling exactly how long repairs will take. But on average…

• Minor damage (small dents, scratches, bumper damage): 1-3 Days
• Moderate damage (multi-panel damage, light frame damage): 1-2 Weeks
• Major Damage (structural damage, engine damage, electrical damage): 2+ Weeks

Anything can happen between all stages of auto body repair. Hidden damages could be discovered after the fact, needed parts could be backordered, or there could be delays in approval from insurance companies.

What To Do While Waiting For Repairs

Repair times can be very frustrating, but there are some ways you can prevent delays and speed up repairs.

Communicate with your repair shop. Contacting your repair shop daily or every other day keeps everything moving along and prevents unnecessary delays. A good repair shop will always keep you updated, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra proactive.

Take care of your insurance claim as soon as possible. The quicker your insurance company can approve your collision estimate, the sooner repairs can begin. Don’t wait to send in any documents or forms needed to process your claim.

Inquire about rental car coverage. Most auto insurance policies include a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop. Make sure to read your policy and arrange a rental car as soon as your vehicle is dropped off.

You don’t want to be left without transportation because you waited too long to ask.

Get a written estimate. Always request a detailed written estimate before your vehicle repairs begin. Your estimate should include:

• Labour costs
• Required parts
• Expected completion date
• Potential additional costs if hidden damages are present

This not only protects you from questionable business practices, but it also gives you an approximate timeline to work with.

Pulling It All Together

Major auto body repairs are no joke. They take time. Especially nowadays, with how complicated repairs can become.

Just remember that every collision is different and requires a different set of repairs. If your car was rear-ended with only bumper damage… it’ll be ready within a week. But if you wrapped your car around a telephone pole, plan for repairs to take a while.

Every single stage of the collision repair process can be affected by things out of your control. But as long as you communicate with your repair shop and follow up when needed, you’ll be in good hands.