A guy brought in a Civic last month that looked halfway decent from a distance — until you got up close. The rear quarter panel had waves like the ocean, the color was a shade off, and the clear coat was already flaking near the edge. He’d gone with the cheapest quote he could find after a fender bender. Less than six weeks later, he was back in our shop, paying to do it right.
Now look, not every affordable repair is a disaster. But when the price seems too good to be true? It usually is. Let’s talk about what gets left out of a “cheap” job — and why it tends to cost you more in the long run.
What Drives Cheap Quotes
Let’s get something straight: good bodywork takes time, the right materials, and people who know what they’re doing. So when a body shop gives you a quote that’s way lower than everyone else, they’ve got to cut something to get there. And that “something” usually isn’t coming out of their pocket.
Here’s what usually gets trimmed:
- Low-grade materials: Cheap paint doesn’t hold color, chips easier, and fades fast in the sun.
- Fast prep (or none at all): Skipping sanding, primer, or blending steps means the repair won’t last.
- Off-brand or used parts: You might get a bumper that doesn’t fit right, or worse — structural parts that aren’t up to spec.
- No time for detail work: Paint gets laid down too quick, no polish, no panel alignment, no finish.
To the untrained eye, it might look okay — at least for a few weeks. But give it time.
The Hidden Costs of Cut Corners
Here’s where the damage really starts to show. Cheap bodywork tends to age like milk.
Paint That Doesn’t Last
You’ll start noticing spots where the clear coat flakes off, or where the color doesn’t match the rest of the car. UV exposure can turn cheap paint dull fast — and if it wasn’t applied right, it won’t hold up through even one winter.
Rust Comes Back
Body filler slapped over rust without proper prep will always come back. It just hides underneath the paint for a while — and by the time you see it again, it’s worse than before.
Panels That Don’t Fit
If they didn’t take the time to line things up, you’ll get wind noise, water leaks, and doors or trunk lids that don’t shut flush. Not just annoying — it kills resale value too.
Insurance Headaches
Some of those cheap jobs don’t follow OEM repair procedures. That means future claims might get denied. We’ve seen insurance companies refuse to pay out because a prior repair didn’t meet safety standards.
When “Fixing the Fix” Costs More
Here’s the worst part — if you bring in a car that’s already been worked on badly, we usually have to undo that work before we can even get started. That means stripping off poor-quality paint, reshaping panels that weren’t done right, or removing gallons of filler that were hiding rust.
A while back we had a customer who saved about $500 on a rear bumper repair. It looked fine until the paint started peeling. When we got in there, we found bent brackets, mismatched clips, and enough body filler to patch a boat. His cheap fix turned into a $1,500 redo — and he had to live without his car for a few more days while we got it straight.
What to Look for in a Quality Repair Shop
If you’re trying to avoid that situation (and trust me, you are), here’s what to check before dropping off your car:
- Do they warranty their work? A good shop stands behind what they do.
- Are they using OEM or certified parts? That means fit and safety.
- Do they show you the repair plan in plain language? Transparency matters.
- Are they busy? Ironically, a packed schedule is usually a good sign.
Shops like ours don’t race to the bottom. We stay competitive, but we won’t risk your safety or reputation to win a low-ball quote war.
When a Deal Is a Deal
Not every inexpensive repair is junk. If a job’s small — like a single panel respray or a paintless dent removal — you can sometimes get it done well at a fair price. The key is knowing when a price reflects efficiency… and when it reflects shortcuts.
Ask questions. If the shop’s honest, they’ll walk you through what they’re doing and why. If they get defensive or vague, that’s a red flag.
Final Thoughts
Good bodywork isn’t cheap. And cheap bodywork usually isn’t good.
At MPB Auto Repair, we’ve fixed our share of “discount specials” that didn’t hold up. It’s always easier — and cheaper — to do it right the first time. So before you chase the lowest price, think about what that price actually includes. You’re not just paying for paint — you’re paying for peace of mind.
Want a real quote with no surprises? Stop by or give us a call. We’ll walk you through it, show you the materials we use, and tell you exactly what your repair needs — and what it doesn’t.
