Repair guide
Body Shop vs Mechanic: Who Repairs What?
By K SAM Automotive Inc. · Updated
The short answer
A body shop repairs the outside and structure of the car: panels, bumpers, paint and collision damage. A mechanic repairs how the car runs: engine, brakes, suspension, steering and electrical problems. After an accident you often need both.
What a body shop handles
- Collision and accident damage
- Dents, creases and damaged panels
- Bumper repair and replacement
- Paint refinishing, scratches and colour matching
What a mechanic handles
- Warning lights and diagnostics
- Brakes, suspension and steering
- Engine, cooling and exhaust problems
- Electrical faults and routine maintenance
Why accidents often need both
A front end collision can damage the radiator and cooling system as well as the bumper and hood. A wheel impact can bend suspension or steering parts even when the bodywork looks minor. If the car pulls, vibrates, makes new noises or shows warning lights after an accident, the mechanical side needs checking too.
Using a shop that does mechanical, body and paint work means one place assesses the whole vehicle and you are not passed between businesses.
Common questions
Who fixes a car that pulls to one side after an accident?
It needs a mechanical check of the suspension, steering and alignment, and possibly a body check if the structure was hit.
Can one shop do mechanical and body work?
Some shops do both. It is convenient after a collision because one shop can assess everything the accident affected.
