LAS VEGAS (KTNV) – It is bad enough if you crash your car, but now we’re learning that the repair may take longer than usual. That’s all because of a lack of auto parts.
13 Action News spoke to some body shops in town who said repairs that should take days or weeks would now take months, and some can’t. It’s all because they can’t get their hands on certain auto parts because of the pandemic.
At the Certified Auto Body Center, west of the Las Vegas Strip, customer service is paramount.
“The car is one of a customer’s biggest purchases. And we just want to make sure the job is done correctly and quickly, and it affects it,” said owner Kurtis Rosborough of the auto parts shortage. A part shortage is a major problem in a body shop.
“Unfortunately, this affects our business, how many cars we can actually repair, and customers. Their cars take longer to repair,” said Rosborough.
Rosborough said many manufacturers stopped making critical parts at the start of the pandemic, but it only became an issue in the last few months as drivers increased demand.
“Demand has increased because people are more on the move and accidents obviously happen, and this is a ripple effect,” said Rosborough.
He says there’s no shortage of certain parts, but it just takes a missing part to delay or deter a repair.
“It’s rife and it’s a hit and miss between manufacturers, certain parts. If a car is not drivable and it is a certain part, we cannot release the vehicle. Whether it is a safety part or just a part reassemble the vehicle properly. We can’t release it. It won’t be safe on the road, “said Rosborough.
Office manager Victoria Hayword has some simple advice for potential customers with problems with their cars. Call ahead.
“Be sure to check parts availability before planning repairs or leaving for mechanical work. That is exactly what we do here to solve many problems. We have supported our customer service and kept customers informed in the world and in our business, “said Hayword.
13 Action News should note that not all repairs are affected by this shortage, and not all body shops are currently short of auto parts.
