Ian CheesemanI recently ran into a friend of mine who was livid. Apparently, the auto body shop he went to practically ripped him off—they overcharged for minor repairs, left the paint job looking uneven, and even missed a dent they promised to fix.
I commiserated with him over a few pints, shaking my head in disbelief. It’s so hard to find a trusted auto body shop in the city.
So, with this in mind, I decided to look into the best options out there. After all, I’m a born journalist, and I couldn’t resist the challenge.
Here are the top auto body shops in Toronto that will make sure your car gets the royal treatment it deserves.
How much do auto body shop services cost in Toronto?
Auto body shop services in Toronto can vary widely in cost, depending on the extent of the collision damage and the services required.
Minor repairs like small dents or scratches can range from $200 to $500. More extensive damage involving body panel replacements or major collision repairs can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 or more.
How We Chose the Best Auto Body Shops in Toronto
1. Leons Auto Body
Leons Auto Body has been around the block, fixing cars since way back in ’78! They’ve built a solid reputation as the go-to guys for all sorts of car troubles, especially when it comes to those nasty accidents.
What they do best is make your car look like new again—they’re all about fixing the hidden damage, not just the stuff you can see. Plus, they’ll even tow your car for free and give it free detailing after the repairs.
For us, here’s the kicker: they guarantee their work for as long as you own the car—pretty cool! No wonder they’re the approved collision repair shop for major insurance companies.
Now, we heard some folks say their prices can be a bit steep. So, it’s good to get quotes from a few places before you commit.
Pros
- Specializes in collision repairs
- Over 40 years of experience
- Free towing and detailing
- Offers a lifetime guarantee
- Approved repair shop for major insurance companies
Cons
- A bit pricey
Avi and his amazing team at Leon’s never disappoint!
“Time after time Avi and his amazing team at Leon’s never disappoint! They were able to fix a 3 year old dent on my mom’s KIA quick and efficiently. That’s why I recommend Leon’s to everyone I know. Amazing 👏 job and thanks again 👍”
Kevin Stracina, Google Review
Got the dents and scratches out perfectly
“Leon’s Auto Body did a great job with my car. Got it later than anticipated because one of the guys buffing the paint burnt through its clear coat. This was conveyed to me and I appreciated the honesty. They got the dents and scratches out perfectly. On top of that I got my car back totally detailed. If I ever need bodywork again, this will be my go to.”
Mr Chibs, Google Review
2. Carstar
Carstar has been in the game since 1989 and has repaired over four million vehicles. We like that their certified technicians are trained to work on all makes and models, regularly participating in education programs to stay updated.
They also provide free estimates with detailed explanations of the collision repair process. As a bonus, they’ll work closely with your auto insurance company, making the whole ordeal a little less stressful.
Additionally, they offer expert painting services, partnering with big brands like 3M, Akzo, Norton, and BASF for parts and products.
For those annoying little dings and dents, Carstar offers paintless dent repair—a great, cost-effective solution for minor damage. And they stand by their work with a nationwide lifetime warranty for most repairs.
While Carstar has a lot going for it, it’s not all smooth sailing. There have been reports of faulty repairs, which can be a significant concern.
Pros
- Over 30 years of experience
- Certified technicians with continued training
- Specializes in painting services
- Uses top-notch product brands
- Offers paintless dent repair
- Has a nationwide lifetime warranty
Cons
- Reports of faulty repairs
Gave my A5 a *fantastic* paint job
“After my car was vandalised Frank and his team gave my A5 a *fantastic* paint job. Professionalism is strong at CARSTAR!!! I also appreciated their courteous and understanding manners while I navigated an unfamiliar insurance system and process.”
Carl Ek, Google Review
Fixed all the repairs before the expected date
“I got into an unfortunate incident that left my front bumper needing repairs. Frank and his team made the whole process stress free. Frank provided nothing but quality service, he ordered the parts quickly, was always in contact with me and my insurance, and he even fixed all the repairs before the expected date. I am so grateful we have honest and hardworking people like Frank and his team at CARSTAR, I highly recommend them if you need a fix!”
Jyoti Biswas, Google Review
3. AWIN Downtown Body Shop
AWIN Downtown Body Shop is part of a bigger car family, and they’ve been serving downtown dealerships for years. They’re all about making your car look good as new after a nasty accident.
First, they give you a free estimate and free parking, which is always a bonus in the city. If your car’s out of commission, they can also hook you up with a rental car while they work their magic.
They’ll even deal with your insurance company for you, which is a huge relief.
We appreciate their special sterilize packages to clean your car inside and out after the repairs. And they’re all about being green as well, using only water-based paints.
They’re confident in their work, offering a lifetime warranty on their repairs. The only downside is that they don’t offer towing, unlike some other shops.
Pros
- Free estimate and parking
- Can help you get a rental car
- Deals with your insurance company
- Has special sterilize packages
- Uses water-based paints
- Has a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Does not offer towing or roadside assistance
Simply the best service in town
“Simply the best service in town. My car was unfortunately struck while parked on the side of a road. Germaine guided me through the process with insurance, taking time to explain what was going on and re-assuring me that everything will be alright. Great people, highly recommend.”
Matthew Ma, Google Review
Cars looked like they were in showroom condition
“I have had our Audi Q7 and Q8 repaired by Chris and team. I could not be happier with the team’s level of service and professionalism and, very importantly, the end product! Both jobs were done on time and the cars looked like they were in showroom condition. I highly recommend AWIN Downtown Body Shop.”
S M, Google Review
4. Assurance Collision Repair
Assurance Collision Repair promises a speedy fix without sacrificing quality. That’s a big deal, especially if you’re in a hurry to get your car back on the road.
First, they’ll give you a rundown of the damage and even offer to fix those pesky little dents without repainting the whole thing. And they’ve got fancy tech (programmed matching system) to match your car’s original color.
One thing’s for sure, they offer a wide range of services, from full-on repairs to just touching up a scratch. And if you’re short on cash, they can help you figure out a payment plan.
But there’s a catch—their 12-month warranty isn’t as long as some other places that offer lifetime. Also, dealing with insurance can be a headache, and it sounds like they might not be the best at helping you with that.
Pros
- Free estimate
- Specializes in collision repair
- 12-month warranty
- Uses a programmed matching system
- Offers financing options
Cons
- Lack of help with insurance paperwork
Did an excellent job restoring my car
“Had my car repaired here. The owners were very accommodating and did an excellent job restoring my car. Received my car back fully detailed and looked like new. Do not hesitate to use them.”
Ronen Itzkovitch, Google Review
My car looks brand new!
“The right side of my car had sustained damages from hitting a pole. I was referred to assurance by a friend and I am very satisfied…my car looks brand new! Professional, helpful and clean staff! I would highly recommend this shop or any auto repair related issues.”
Tara Saberpor, Google Review
5. CSN 427 Auto Collision
CSN 427 Auto Collision is like the old reliable uncle of auto body shops, having been around since 1950. In fact, they’ve been named the top body shop in North America three times and won the Etobicoke Readers’ Choice award 18 times.
This family-owned business handles everything, from minor scratches to major overhauls. And their state-of-the-art six unique vehicle scanning systems ensure precision repairs.
Plus, their factory-certified collision center uses digital tools for quality color-matching and auto-refinishing. Using AkzoNobel, their main paint supplier for over 25 years, they make sure your car leaves with a factory-fresh shine.
We’re impressed that they’re especially skilled at handling high-end vehicles like Teslas, BMWs, Audis, and Porsches.
While their expertise is undeniable, some customers have mentioned less-than-stellar service from their reception staff. But overall, their reputation for quality repairs and customer satisfaction is hard to beat.
Pros
- Over 70 years of experience
- Received numerous awards
- Six unique vehicle scanning systems
- Uses digital tools for color-matching and refinishing
- Uses AkzoNobel for paint
- Specializes in high-end vehicles
Cons
- Reports of rude receptionists
My 10-year-old car looked like new
“Excellent customer service, friendly staff, very professional. My 10 year old car looked like new when they were done removing gunk accidentally sprayed on from a construction site! I would not hesitate to recommend them.”
Lily, Google Review
Highly recommend CSN 427 Collision for fantastic work
“Amazing customer service! From the moment you walk in, to picking up your car, it was a wonderful experience. Not only did they fix the car to the point of perfection, they also cleaned my car. There is also car rental on the site which is very convenient. I would highly recommend CSN 427 Collision for fantastic work and professionalism they offer . I would give you 6 star rating if I could . Thank you all!”
Elvisa, Google Review
