I just got into an accident, and I'm looking for a reputable body shop in the Northern Virgina/Washington DC area. My dealer recommended "First Choice" and "Wagon Works" in VA, but both are booked until late November/early December. Does anyone know of any other places that are good, just so I can check about getting the car repaired (hood/grill) sooner? Thanks in advance for the advice...

Not 5 months after I picked up my car, someone hit it. The impact was probably less than 5 mph. I took it to Hatch's Auto Body on 9451 Smith Avenue, Seabrook, MD. Smith Ave is also where Pat Goss has his shop. Hatch's did a wonderful job. I absolutely cannot tell anything had happened to the car. Also the paint job is guaranteed 5 years. I recommend them.

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This spring/summer, the body shops were backed up due to claims on hail damage. I would have thought they'd be more available now, but maybe not. Of course, they prefer to keep themselves busy, with jobs lined up.

I went to First Choice on Heishman's recommendation. I had to wait a month or so, but I tihnk they did good work. They specialize on German cars.

Keep in mind that it might be slow for parts. I just had a new front fender bumper & hood replaced on my 1999 A6 and several parts were back ordered almost a month. Both Audi & VW are way back on the parts department which obviously are being used on all of the new cars. Maybe and older car will be faster.

I got in a wreck with less than 1000 miles on my car. I had it taken to Elite Autohaus in Silver Spring on the recommendation of the dealer (Tischer).
They seem to be very responsive and helpful, but it's been 6 weeks and I am still waiting. Parts are a real problem. (Somone else posted that they had to wait 12 weeks for a radiator when they got in an accident.) Mine came in faster, but they kept finding other things that were broken. Will know more when I finally get the car back. I really miss my car :(

These guys are great. I went to high school with them. Two brothers run the shop. If parts are hard to find or a long wait, not much you can do. If minor body work needed, these guys are first rate. State of the art equipment! Fine finish. Timely. Tell them, Melvin Coles sent you. You would be pleased.
Clinton Autobody (301) 868-3990