
Experts said it could take two months for cars to be repaired
Collision repair experts said major damage repair could possibly take up to two months.
TYLER, Texas — This week’s icy conditions also caused major damage to cars. Many drivers got into wrecks and others had tree limbs fall on their windshields. Experts in the auto collision repair industry said those needing repairs could wait as long as two months before they see their car again.
“Right now I think we’re averaging about 16 to 18 days, just like a rough average,” said David Butron, the general manager of East Texas Collision Repair.
About two weeks, that’s how long it’s taking this auto shop to fix up cars that are coming in.
Butron said one vehicle currently in their shop should return to its owner by the end of next week. He said this car owner is one of the lucky ones because the shop was able to get all the parts to repair it quickly. But, that’s not the case for every type of damage.
Butron also pointed out a vehicle that’s been sitting in their lot for several months.
“In this case this truck is fully assembled and apparently ready to go it’s just missing one little air bag sensor,” Butron said. “That little air bag sensor is what’s keeping it here, and it’s been here for a good two months.”
That small part is a major safety component, and the shop can’t let the vehicle go until it’s installed.
Over at Tyler Ford, LTD body shop manager David Sorge said collision repairs could take up to two months.
“If it’s a big hit it could take a month to two months,” Sorge said. “If it’s a small hit, we can get them out in a week or two.”
Sorge said as of Friday they are working on