Southwest Collision in Pampa, Texas may not be a Tesla-approved body shop, but they sure did a fantastic job fixing up my Tesla Model S. As an auto journalist with 38 years of experience, I wanted to see for myself if the rumors about Tesla repairs being astronomically expensive were true. And let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised.
When my Tesla needed body work, I decided to take it to Southwest Collision, a local body shop just down the street from where I live. The owner, Chuck, and his team were more than willing to take on the challenge of fixing up my Tesla, despite not being a Tesla-approved shop. They were able to source the necessary parts from Tesla and get to work on repairing the damage.
The process of fixing up my Tesla was no different from working on any other late-model car, according to Chuck. They had to replace the bumper cover, the steel impact bar, and the fender liner, all of which were standard components in a front-end repair. The total cost for parts and labor came out to $1,605.50, which was comparable to repairs on domestic cars like a Chevy Malibu or a Ford Mustang.
One of the key takeaways from this experience was that Tesla parts were not significantly more expensive than parts for other cars. In fact, the total cost of repair for a Tesla was on par with repairs for domestic cars, with only imports like Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz showing a significant price difference. Chuck and his team were able to complete the repairs in a timely manner, saving me from having to leave my car in a shop 250 miles away for weeks on end.
Despite the challenges of sourcing parts and dealing with Tesla‘s communication limitations, Southwest Collision was able to get the job done efficiently and effectively. The end result was a beautifully repaired Tesla that looked as good as new. And the best part? The cost of fixing my Tesla didn’t break the bank, proving that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to repair a Tesla.
In conclusion, fixing a Tesla may not be as expensive as some people make it out to be. With the right body shop and a team of skilled technicians, repairing a Tesla can be just as affordable as fixing any other car on the market. Southwest Collision in Pampa, Texas certainly proved that to me, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of my Tesla repair. If you’re in need of body work for your Tesla, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and consider a local body shop like Southwest Collision. You might just be pleasantly surprised by the results.
