Body Shop Cannot Preorder Parts

[okolehao]

My Model 3 was done in by a hit & run (Sentry captured it but not the license plate). My Tesla-approved body shop said they need to dissemble the car before they can pre-order any parts. Hearing about the terrible wait times, I was hoping to get the part ordered before I start the body work since the car is still drive-able. I need a new quarter panel. Has anyone had similar experiences? Or were they able to pre-order the part before starting the body work? Hate to have to pay and rent an ICE car for 3+ weeks maybe more if Tesla delays parts.

 

[brkaus]

I believe that’s the body shops choice. Not a Tesla rule.

Where / how bad is the damage? Contained to one quarter?

 

[tjkessler]

It's horrible, I had to wait from last week of August to the middle of October for repair. Car sat in the shops lot the whole time.

 

[Dads-reward]

From my experience - parts were ordered and delivered within days (lower NY state). I have two Tesla service centers within 30 min of me. Had the repair done at a Tesla approved/certified shop.

 

[okolehao]

They said Tesla won't allow them to place the parts order into their system, until the Body Panels are off and the car is powered down in the garage. They mentioned that Tesla connects remotely to the car and confirms it's GPS shows it in the body shop.

 

[needp3d-]

They said Tesla won't allow them to place the parts order into their system, until the Body Panels are off and the car is powered down in the garage. They mentioned that Tesla connects remotely to the car and confirms it's GPS shows it in the body shop.

You mean they need to show a pic of your car disassembled ?

 

[jsanford]

From my experience - parts were ordered and delivered within days (lower NY state). I have two Tesla service centers within 30 min of me. Had the repair done at a Tesla approved/certified shop.

Same experience in Seattle last year, just a few days. Painting was more time-consuming. Nothing about Tesla being fussy and wanting proof, but it was an approved shop.

 

[Shewillbemine]

I just had body work done and the shop kept my car the whole time in Service Mode. Furthermore, I received emails from Tesla regarding ordered body parts for my car, even though I obviously did not order them myself.

That suggests your body shop is telling you the truth in this case. Also, they want to fix your car and get you the hell out of there. It wouldn't make sense for them to make that up.

That said, I know one guy who needed a new bumper and he was allowed to drive the car until the bumper arrived for painting and installation. His incident was last year, third quarter. Tesla may have changed their policies.

 

[Chris88]

Unless Tesla has changed something very recently is not true. However Tesla does stress a maximum of 2 parts orders per claim. Typically the first would be the original estimate parts order and the second would be after it's 100% disassembled and all the hidden damage is found.

Considering the size of the job perhaps their internal policy is to put the first order in after disassembly and leave the option of the second parts order in case something pops up along the repair process. I understand that I'd this is the case, but I would say it's unfair to you as the customer as it would prolong the repair process a bit.